Proposed rule on organ allocation
Proposed rule on organ allocation
The following excerpt is from the April 2, 1998, Federal Register.
"In order to improve allocation of organs for transplantation, this final rule establishes performance goals to be achieved by the Organ Procure ment Transplant Network (OPTN). Actions already under way in the OPTN are consistent with several of these goals. The rule does not establish specific allocation policies, but instead looks to the organ transplant community to take action to meet the performance goals. The goals include:
"Minimum listing criteria. The OPTN is required to define objective and measurable medical criteria to be used by all transplant centers in determining whether a patient is appropriate to be listed for a transplant. In this way, patients with essentially the same medical need will be listed in the same way at all transplant centers.
"Status categories. The OPTN is required to deter mine objective medical criteria to be used nationwide in determining the medical status of those awaiting transplantation. This will provide a common measurement for use by all transplant centers in determining the urgency of an individual's medical condition, and it will facilitate OPTN efforts to direct organs to those with greatest medical need, in accordance with sound medical judgment.
"Equitable allocation. The OPTN is required to develop equitable allocation policies that provide organs to those with the greatest medical urgency, in accordance with sound medical judgment. This increases the likelihood of patients obtaining match ing organs and gives all patients equal chances to obtain organs compared to other patients of equal medical status, wherever they live or list. By requiring common criteria for listing eligibility and medical status, and by requiring that organs be directed so as to equalize waiting times, especially for those with greatest medical need, this rule is designed to provide patients awaiting transplants with equal access to organs and to provide organs to sickest patients first, consistent with sound medical judgment. While present OPTN policies give weight to medical need, the 'local first' practice thwarts organ allocation over a broad area and thus prevents medical need from being the dominant factor in allocation decisions."
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.