TRACE helps ensure a safe transplant system by identifying, investigating, and responding to potential donor-derived disease transmission events (PDDTE) linked to organ donation.
Patient safety is at the forefront of the OPTN’s efforts to improve the organ donation and transplantation system. Explore the OPTN’s policies, guidance, and educational resources for transplant professionals on patient safety.
HRSA announces the Transplant Risk Assessment Coordination & Evaluation (TRACE) team
Pathogens of Special Interest (PDF - 227 KB)
8/2025
A list of pathogens intended to support OPTN policies 15.4.A: Host OPO Requirements for Reporting Post-Procurement Donor Results and Discovery of Potential Disease Transmissions and 15.5.B: Transplant Program Requirements for Reporting Discovery of Potential Unexpected Recipient Disease or Malignancy.
OPTN Policy Notice: Improving Post-Transplant Communication of New Donor Information (PDF - 594 KB)
8/2016
Summary of policy changes from the Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee with information on what members need to do.
Search FDA-cleared assays, used to determine toxoplasmosis immune status or diagnosis
Chagas screening testing FAQs (PDF - 280 KB)
9/2025
FAQs on Chagas screening and confirmatory testing requirements as part of deceased donor screening of endemic diseases.
Reporting potential donor-derived disease transmissions events FAQs
The OPTN’s resources on reporting PDDTEs.
Measles Update and Considerations for Transplant Safety (PDF - 38 KB)
6/2025
Learn how to reduce the risk of transplant-transmitted measles.
List of countries endemic for Chagas disease as classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (PDF - 105 KB)
2/2024
Recognizing seasonal and geographically endemic infection in organ donors: considerations for deceased and living donation (PDF - 537 KB)
1/2024
Summary of Evidence on SARS-CoV-2 (PDF - 290 KB)
2/2024
A summary of evidence and information on donor screening for SARS‐CoV‐2 and considerations for organ acceptance from donors with a history of COVID‐19.
Summary of current evidence and information – Mpox in donor screening and transplantation (PDF - 243 KB)
2/2024
A summary of evidence and information on donor screening for Mpox virus and considerations for organ acceptance from donors with a history of Mpox.
Guidance on requested deceased donor information (PDF - 196 KB)
6/2018
The OPTN’s guidance to assist members in identifying additional testing needed to best evaluate potential donors.
Evaluation plan guidance (PDF - 808 KB)
Guidance for addressing blood type determination
Read about methods for ABO determination and practices to resolve donor blood type conflicts.
ABO sub-typing of blood-type A and AB organ donors (PDF - 501 KB)
6/2018
Learn what is required by OPTN policy for blood type and subtype determination and common issues in reporting.
ABO verification flow chart (PDF - 60 KB)
3/2016
A flowchart on pre-transplant verification for all recipients.
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Related OPTN Policies
See related policies on patient safety:
- Policy 5: Organ Offers, Acceptance, and Verification
- Policy 15: Identification of Transmissible Diseases
- Policy 16: Organ and Extra Vessel Packaging, Labeling, Shipping, and Storage
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Professional education
UNOS Connect is a comprehensive learning management system for transplant professionals. Members can find educational offerings on effective practices, UNetSM system updates, and policy changes.
The OPTN acknowledges the support of its members who help create patient safety resources, especially the Ad Hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee and the Operations and Safety Committee.
Date Last Reviewed: