Transplants
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)
UNOS is the private, non-profit organization that manages the nation's organ transplant system under contract with the federal government. UNOS is involved in many aspects of the organ transplant and donation process:
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN)
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) - In 1987, Congress passed the National Organ Transplant Act, which mandated the establishment of the OPTN and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. The purpose of the OPTN is to improve the effectiveness of the nation's organ procurement, donation and transplantation system by increasing the availability of and access to donor organs for patients with end-stage organ failure. The act stipulated that the network be a nonprofit, private sector entity whose members are all U.S. transplant centers, organ procurement organizations and histocompatibility laboratories. These members, along with professional and voluntary healthcare organizations and the representatives of the general public, are governed by a Board of Directors.
The OPTN is administered by the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) under contract to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. > OPTN website.
Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO)
Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO) - Local organizations throughout the U.S. designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are responsible for increasing the number of registered donors in their service areas, and for coordinating the donation process when actual donors become available. OPOs evaluate potential donors, discuss donation with surviving family members, and arrange for the surgical removal and transport of donated organs. To increase donor registration, OPOs implement community outreach strategies to encourage people to sign up in their state donor registry. Find your local OPO. > Association of Organ Procurement Organizations website.
