Richmond, Va. -- The OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors, meeting June 22 and 23, adopted a policy to broaden access to donated livers for candidates at greatest short-term risk of dying without a transplant (Status 1A and 1B). At any given moment there are usually fewer than 10 of these candidates nationwide, with a life expectancy of seven days or less without a transplant.

Recent news regarding liver transplantation has raised public questions regarding how donated livers are allocated and potential variation in transplant waiting times. The national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), operated by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) under federal contract, cannot discuss details of individual transplant candidates subject to federal laws and regulations regarding patient confidentiality. The OPTN can address general questions about policy and process.

In November 2008, UNOS sent a questionnaire to nearly 8000 procurement and transplant professionals.

Seven policy proposals are now being offered for public comment. These proposals were developed by a number of OPTN/UNOS committees.