What are the steps for matching organ donors with transplant candidates?
• An organ is donated. When the organ becomes available, the OPO managing the donor sends information to UNOS. The OPO procurement team reports medical and genetic information, including organ size, and condition, blood type and tissue type. The organ is accepted or declined. If the organ is not accepted, the OPO continues to offer it for patients at other centers until it is placed. • UNOS generates a list of potential recipients. The UNOS computer generates a list of potential transplant candidates who have medical and biologic profiles compatible with the donor. The computer ranks candidates by this biologic information, as well as clinical characteristics and time spent on the waiting list. • The transplant center is notified of an available organ. Organ placement specialists at the OPO or the UNOS Organ Center contact the centers whose patients appear on the local list. • The transplant team considers the organ for the patient. When the team is offered an organ, it bases its accep
