Modernization of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) aims to create a more fair, safe, and effective organ donation, procurement, and transplantation system. At the heart of this effort is stakeholder engagement, an essential component for ensuring that reforms are grounded in real-world experiences and responsive to the needs of those most affected.
Patients, clinicians, donor families, organ procurement organizations (OPOs), transplant centers, histocompatibility labs, and others invested in the success and safety of the system bring critical perspectives that help us build a stronger system together. Input from the people who wait on a lifesaving phone call, the people who wake up in the middle of the night to care for a patient at bedside, and the people who transport an organ from a compassionate donor to a sick patient, provide firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities that may arise from proposed changes.
By actively listening to stakeholders, HRSA is working to improve OPTN system performance through on-the-ground expertise from healthcare providers and facilities. This approach promotes fairness by identifying and addressing barriers within the organ procurement and transplant process—and ensures patient-centered outcomes by aligning reforms with the real needs of both donors and transplant recipients.
Modernizing the OPTN isn’t just about updating technology or policies, it’s about building a system that reflects the voices and needs of the broader organ procurement and transplant community. Stakeholder engagement ensures this process is not only informed but also collaborative.