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OPTN launches AOOS/AOS teams to address allocation-out-of-sequence issues and OPO oversight
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Summary
Board received an update on a new multi-team effort (Define Offer, Expedited Kidney Placement, OPO compliance) formed after HRSA critical comments; Justin will chair the effort and named chairs and teams, outlining tasks, contractor support and an aggressive timeline for early September team meetings.
The board received an update on the newly formed AOOS/AOS workgroups created in response to HRSA critical comment letters about allocation out of sequence and related OPO oversight issues. Justin, who was asked to chair the effort, outlined a three-team structure: a Define Offer team (chair Steven Potter), an Expedited Placement (EPP) team (chair Kevin Lee) and a compliance team (chair to be finalized). The teams will research definitions of compliant offers, components of an offer, expedited kidney-placement procedures, training and education needs, and compliance practices.
Justin said the workgroups will develop problem statements, analyze current practice, propose solutions, validate those through testing, and then present recommendations to an executive management team that includes HRSA leadership and the OPTN chair. The plan permits using contractor resources with HRSA’s permission and includes public updates; initial team meetings were expected to begin in early September.
Board members urged broad stakeholder inclusion (providers, OPOs, patients) and asked for dynamic tools to support decision-making. Alan and others cautioned that not every allocation out-of-sequence is inappropriate and that the policy framework itself may need examination. Justin said the project scope is large and that the goal is to reduce allocation out-of-sequence occurrences through improved definitions, training, and consistent application across stakeholders.
The update included a staffing slide that listed AIR (administrative support), OPTN oversight and named team chairs. Justin said he will monitor progress and provide periodic public updates; the board welcomed contractor support for more dynamic tools and modeling.
