immunology allergic disorders
Overview of Transplantation
Organ allocation
In the US, an organ allocation system has been implemented for livers and other organs. Under this system, transplant candidates receive an organ based on medical urgency and the distance between the donor hospital and transplant hospitals. This system replaces the previous system that was based primarily on the geographic boundaries of donation service areas and transplant regions. Now, livers and other organs from all adult deceased donors are offered first to compatible transplant candidates who have the most urgent need (Status 1A and 1B) and are listed at transplant hospitals within 500 nautical miles of the donor hospital. After offers are made to the most urgent candidates, organs are offered to candidates at hospitals within distances of 150, 250, and 500 nautical miles of the donor hospital. In kidney allocation, wait time remains a challenge, and, for all organs, pediatric organs are primarily allocated to pediatric candidates first. 