It was in 2014 when the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing Kidney Transplantation Committee made the largest changes to the Kidney Transplant Waiting List in more than 25 years. The purpose was to make the list more efficient and equitable for Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis patients awaiting a lifesaving Kidney Transplant. Did it work? While it will likely take many years to fully answer that question, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) wants to know if you find the changes to be better or worse.
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The Nephrology News & Issues released an "Early Observation" of the effectiveness of achieving its stated goals to make "better use of available kidneys and increase transplant opportunities for difficult-to match patients." The reported results are as follow:
- Decreased likelihood of older patients getting kidneys from younger donors and younger patients getting older donor kidneys. This is called, "Age Mismatch," and according to the committee, "diminish the overall graft survival benefit of Kidney Transplantation."
- An increase in transplantation among African-American recipients, from approximately 32% to 38%.
- Transplants have increased moderately for recipients age 18 and 49.
- Transplants have "decreased among those age 50 or older," said Nephrology News & Issues.
- An increasing use of kidneys that are outside of a patient's given region from approximately one-fifth to almost one-third of Kidney Transplants to limit waste and improve successful matches.
Are you listed? If so, do the Kidney Transplant Waiting List changes help or hinder your likelihood of getting a Kidney Transplant sooner, if at all? Share your response below. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/ United Network for Organ Sharing are requesting feedback and want to hear from members of the Chronic Kidney Disease Community. Co-author, Dr. David K. Klassen (Chief Medical Officer for the United Network for Organ Sharing), noted that the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network will continue to "assess how the new system is performing and whether changes are needed to address significant concerns or issues."
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Let your voice be heard by sharing your thoughts below and KidneyBuzz.com will notify the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing Kidney Transplantation Committee of your personal experience and insights:
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