title: The coordination of allocation: Logistics of kidney organ allocation to highly sensitized patients.
abstract: Since implementation, the new UNOS OPTN kidney allocation system (KAS) has drastically expanded the pool of available kidneys to candidates that may have previously waited extended periods for an organ offer. This is particularly true for highly sensitized patients. The changes to the KAS have had ramifications throughout the transplant process, including for organ procurement organizations (OPO) and local transplant hospital call centers. Here, we will examine the impact of the new KAS on the organ donation process and highlight the necessary interactions between the OPO and transplant centers to best match donor kidneys and highly sensitized recipients.
authors.affiliation: Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, Itasca, IL, United States. Electronic address: jlunz@giftofhope.org.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lunz
authors.affiliation: Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, Itasca, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hinsdale
authors.affiliation: Emory Transplant Center Organ Placement Program, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Emory Transplant Center Organ Placement Program, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pastush
authors.affiliation: Emory Transplant Center Organ Placement Program, Atlanta, GA, United States.
authors.forename: Magnolia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buenvenida
authors.affiliation: Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, Itasca, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harmon
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002102:Cadaver; D046148:Donor Selection; D033161:Government Regulation; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D012042:Registries; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D066027:Transplant Recipients; D014850:Waiting Lists
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens
keywords: Kidney allocation; Organ allocation; Organ procurement