Deceased Donor Support Therapy Data Collection

At a glance

Current policy

Currently there are no standard data collection fields where OPOs can indicate to transplant programs if a donor received temporary mechanical circulatory support (such as ECMO, pumps, and VADs); kidney replacement therapies (such as dialysis); or inhaled therapies. This proposal will have OPOs acknowledge if the organ donor received any these support interventions and if so, they will indicate which category of intervention. This will promote efficient review of organ offers by the transplant programs and help transplant programs evaluate organs to make informed decisions regarding accepting organs. Additionally, collecting this data will help with transplant outcome data and serve as a complement to organ offer filters.

Supporting media

Presentation

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Proposed changes

OPOs will have a standard field where they can indicate whether or not support therapies were used
OPOs will have a dropdown menu to indicate which therapies were used and for how long
Transplant programs can quickly see if an organ donor received support therapies
Transplant programs will be able to better evaluate lab values depending on support therapies used
Transplant programs can incorporate this information into their organ offer filters

Anticipated impact

What it's expected to do
- Make organ allocation more efficient
- Allow transplant programs to have a better picture of true organ function
- Help transplant programs make informed decisions
- Help with transplant outcome data
- Complement organ offer filters

Terms to know

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): A form of life support used for patients with life-threatening heart and / or lung problems
Dialysis: A procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly
Organ Procurement Organization (OPO): An organization designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that is responsible for the procurement of organs for transplantation and the promotion of organ donation. OPOs serve as the vital link between the donor and recipient and are responsible for the identification of donors, and the retrieval, preservation, and transportation of organs for transplantation.
Transplant program: The organ-specific facility within a transplant center. A transplant center may have programs for the transplantation of hearts, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreata, pancreas islets, and/or intestines.
Ventricular assist device (VAD): A mechanical pump used to support heart function and blood flow in people with weak or failing hearts