About the OPTN

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is a unique public-private partnership that links all professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system. Also crucial to the system are individuals who sign organ donor cards, people who comment on policy proposals, and countless volunteers who support donation and transplantation, among many others.

A driving force of the OPTN is to improve the U.S. system so that more life-saving organs are available for transplant. Patient safety is at the forefront of activities at transplant hospitals, organ procurement organizations (OPOs), and labs.

The OPTN acts through its Board of Directors and committees, who bring a wealth of commitment and technical knowledge to guide us. Committees address issues of concern in the transplant community. The board establishes and maintains transplant policies (operational rules), bylaws (governance structure and roles), and management and membership policies (membership requirements) that govern the OPTN. 

OPTN Mission and Vision

Mission Statement

Lead a safe and just national organ donation and transplantation system that serves the public through policy development and member governance.

Vision Statement

Every person has access to timely transplantation through an innovative system that honors the gift of donation and improves lives. 

History

To address the nation's critical organ donation shortage and improve the organ matching and placement process, the U.S. Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA; P.L. 98-507) in 1984. The act established the OPTN to maintain a national registry for organ matching. The act also calls for the network to be operated by a private organization under federal contract.

Following further study and recommendations from a task force commissioned through NOTA, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) solicited proposals in 1986 for the operation of the OPTN.

In 2000, HHS implemented a final rule establishing a regulatory framework for the structure and operations of the OPTN.