Modifications to released kidney and pancreas allocation

Background

At its December 2019 meeting, the OPTN Board of Directors approved a policy to remove donation service area (DSA) and region from kidney and pancreas allocation. These changes require the modification of policies related to the reallocation of released kidneys and pancreata, including Policy 5.9: Released Organs (PDF - 3 MB).

At its June 2020 meeting, the OPTN Board of Directors passed an additional policy developed by the OPTN Organ Procurement Organization Committee, addressing the reallocation of kidney, kidney-pancreas, pancreas, and islets in situations in which an organ allocated to an original intended recipient is unable to be transplanted in that recipient. These policies include the use of a 250 NM reallocation circle around the transplant hospital that originally accepted the organ(s).

Policy

Policy documents

• Modifications to Released Kidney and Pancreas Allocation
  • Read the policy proposal (PDF - 1 MB)
  • Read the Board briefing paper (PDF - 1 MB)
  • Read the policy notice (PDF - 1 MB)
  • Read public comment on Modifications to Released Kidney and Pancreas Allocation

Post-implementation monitoring

The language does not change the current routine monitoring of OPTN members. In addition to the monitoring described below, all policy requirements and data entered in UNet^SM may be subject to OPTN review, and members are required to provide documentation as requested. OPTN staff will continue to review all deceased donor match runs that result in a transplanted organ to ensure allocation was carried out according to OPTN organ specific policies and will continue to review any allocation deviations. OPTN staff will inquire with OPOs and transplant programs, as applicable, for additional information when a deviation is identified. The MPSC will review all relevant information to determine if a policy noncompliance has occurred and what type of action, if any, is warranted.

FAQs & resources

Instruction

• Professional education on modifications to released kidney and pancreas allocation is available on UNOS Connect.
  • KID111: Modifications to Released Kidney and Pancreas Allocation
  • KID112 - Removing DSA and Region from Kidney and Pancreas Allocation

Guidance

• Host OPO processes for allocation released organs (PDF - 1 MB)

Frequently asked questions about the removal of DSA and OPTN region from kidney and pancreas allocation

Related Toolkits

• Removal of DSA and Region from Kidney Allocation Policy Toolkit
• Removal of DSA and Region from Pancreas Allocation Policy