recently signed Securing America’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Cybersecurity Act Heralding the beginning of a new era of organ transplantation. For the first time since the national system was created in 1984, multiple organizations will be involved in operating the system, ending a previous process that left overall oversight and management of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to a single organization. This uncharted territory has raised questions from patients and donors: How will a modernized system affect candidates’ wait times for organ transplants? How will multiple government contractors work together to ensure donated organs are effectively matched to patients in need? There are a lot more.
“Everyone knows the system has been broken for years, with heartbreaking consequences. Now with the president’s signature, we are taking significant steps to improve it.” explain White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre became White House Press Secretary after President Biden signed the bill into law last month.
The bipartisan legislation, which has the full support of congressional leaders in the House and Senate, allows for the award of multiple government grants or contracts to public-private partnerships to operate the OPTN system and removes previously established federal funding caps.
As a heart transplant recipient, I am inspired by the bipartisan focus and support for modernizing the system. The transplant community is not one one expects to be a part of, but organ donors, donor families, transplant recipients, candidates, and caregivers deserve the attention, care, and resources we hope to see in the latest legislation.
While this is an important milestone, its success for our community depends on flawless implementation. This new phase of OPTN requires the establishment of ambitious, patient-centered goals to measure progress and ensure improved system performance. Now, More than 100,000 Americans are waiting for organ transplants, highlighting the urgent need to increase the number of transplants, improve access to transplants and shorten wait times for patients in need. Importantly, modernizing the organ transplant system involves not only enhancing the transplant process but also improving post-transplant outcomes and recipient quality of life.
To navigate this journey of change, four key areas for success must be kept in mind:
Seamless collaboration
Bill HR 2544 facilitated system participation by many organizations, resulting in multiple contract and grant awardees. This requires effective selection of capable suppliers, shared contractual responsibilities arranged through government contracting teams, and ongoing supplier collaboration to ensure the system continues to benefit patients and donors.
Leading with data and artificial intelligence
Amid the AI revolution, transforming the nearly four-year-old OPTN into a data-driven culture will drive quality improvements to achieve better results and improve system effectiveness. Adopting and consistently applying a data-centric approach to all aspects of system operations—from end-stage organ disease diagnosis to the patient’s final days—will unlock new actionable insights that will be essential in keeping systems up to date for seamless and The cohesion of the participating stakeholders.
governance based on transparency
As OPTN adds many participating vendors to what was once a single-vendor system, requiring transparency between contracts and stakeholders is critical to seamless integration and success. Fostering a governance culture whose sole purpose is an efficient system for patients and donors requires greater transparency and accountability in all aspects of operations. Therefore, increased government oversight and action will ensure the integrity of the system and make transplants more accessible and equitable for all Americans.
over communication
With so many changes expected in the organ transplant system and community, OPTN and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) need to continually reaffirm their commitment to the community and the public that these changes will occur diligently and with community involvement. Adequate communication around change not only increases trust in the system but also helps maintain patient-centeredness.
The previous principles for OPTN management and operations were groundbreaking when they were enacted in 1984, but that was nearly 40 years ago. Today, Bill HR 2544 creates new opportunities to modernize the organ transplant system in the era of the artificial intelligence revolution through transformative data analysis and reporting, empowered public-private partnerships, and new support and resources from HHS.
As an emergency heart transplant patient with quadruple organ failure less than three years old, and as the father of a two-year-old with another on the way, I want more than just this System modernization can achieve this goal. Save and extend more lives – I’m counting on it.
Tristan Mace Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Vareosa patient-centered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses data to radically improve organ transplant outcomes.
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