Public Policy
November 02, 2009

Organ Donation and Transplantation

Today, more than 92,000 people await life-saving organ transplantations, and the gap between available organs and those in need of organs is progressively widening.  For its part, The Joint Commission has continued to promote organ donation and cooperative organ procurement practices through its hospital accreditation standards.  But this effort, like others, is falling short of the mark.  No more than half of organs that could be transplanted are actually being harvested in hospitals.  As is painfully obvious, complex issues underlie the failure of this nation to meet its organ donation objectives.  The Organ Donation Roundtable has been charged to put forth recommendations for increasing organ donation, for improving equity in the process, and for protecting patients and donors.    A national conference on organ donation, Health Care at the Crossroads: Organ Donation in the 21st Century was held in March 2004. 

Strategies for Narrowing the Organ Donation Gap and Protecting Patients
Published 6/04


Additional Resources

 


United Network for Organ Sharing

National Kidney Allocation Concepts Discussed in Public Forum

The OPTN/UNOS Kidney Transplantation Committee hosted a public forum to discuss concepts for kidney allocation.   Read about the concepts discussed and how to learn more and/or get involved.

New National Donor Memorial Web site Launched

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) today launched its expanded National Donor Memorial Web site. This tribute-driven site honors organ and tissue donors in this country, highlights the impact of their gift of life on the lives of so many others, and underscores the critical importance of increasing organ donation.  Read more. 

Selected Articles from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)

  • A Look at the DLO's College Campaign Registers 125,000 Donors - 'Do It Now' was one component of a yearlong, statewide effort
  • A Look at the How to Prepare for UNOS Site Surveys, Peer Visits - Using the OPTN Evaluation Plan is key
  • Successful Matches with Paired Kidney Donation - TTI's paired exchange program -- and some of its donors and recipients
  • Coffee Barista Donates Kidney to Customer with PKD - As it has for 25 years, NTAF helps with uninsured medical expenses
  • Donation in Black and White - A look at WDN's recent successes in Milwaukee