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OPTN executive committee approves Feb. 13 summary and hears updates on NRP, COVID-era holds and patient-safety officer role
Summary
The OPTN executive committee voted to approve the Feb. 13 summary (8‑0) and received several policy updates: the NRP work group will send its proposals to HRSA for policy development, the board plans to rescind a COVID‑era temporary‑hold practice, an MPSC review of non‑U.S. resident transplants continues, and a working group to establish a patient‑safety officer for OPOs is being formed.
The executive committee voted to approve the February 13 executive committee summary with authority for the secretary to make non‑substantive corrections. The motion was moved by George and seconded; the vote was announced as 8 approvals, 0 rejections, and 0 abstentions.
Dr. John McGee gave an update on several workstreams. He said the normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) work group is finalizing internal sign‑off and will submit its charge to HRSA for subsequent policy development, after which the normal policy process (committee review, public comment, board approval) would occur. "That charge ... will be submitted to HRSA for subsequent policy development," he said.
On COVID-era practices, Dr. McGee said one emergency provision that allowed centers to temporarily place patients on hold (for example via donor‑age criteria) had been used during the pandemic but will be rescinded now that the emergency period has ended. "The COVID pandemic is over, and, the board will be rescinding that practice," he stated.
Dr. McGee noted ongoing work triggered by media attention: the Membership and Professional Standards Committee (MPSC) is evaluating practices regarding non‑U.S. citizen, non‑U.S. resident transplants and has requested data and exception‑use information from particular centers; HRSA has also been asked to provide data and a review group will be stood up after contractor transitions complete.
He also announced a directive to establish a patient‑safety officer role within organ procurement organizations; invitations are being finalized for the working group, which is expected to include OPO representation, QI experts from transplant centers and hospitals, donor‑family representation and possibly relevant specialty clinicians.
The committee had no other new business in open session and adjourned the open portion of the meeting so it could move to a closed session.
