SUPPORTING AUTOMATIC ORGAN DONATION REFERRALS

SUPPORTING AUTOMATIC ORGAN DONATION REFERRALS

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E127] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SUPPORTING AUTOMATIC ORGAN DONATION REFERRALS ______ HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, February 13, 2025 Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of studying the implementation of automated software tools that will improve and expedite the organ donation referral process. The United States has one of the best organ donation and transplantation systems in the world. Still, over 100,000 Americans remain on the national waitlist for an organ transplant. Just one organ donor can save as many as eight lives, which is why we must ensure the process for identifying and evaluating potential deceased organ donors is as efficient and accurate as possible. Hospitals are currently required to notify their collaborating organ procurement organization (OPO) of all imminent patient deaths in a timely manner to ensure they can maximize the number of organs recovered for transplant. The standard practice of hospital staff manually identifying patients to refer to donation, and then manually notifying OPOs of those patients, is not only time consuming and burdensome for busy hospital staff but increases the likelihood of human error missing a potential donor. Today, automated electronic deceased organ donor referral systems exist at a select few hospitals. These systems automate the donor referral process, allowing hospital staff more time to focus on direct patient care, minimizing the risk of human error, and potentially increasing the number of organs available for transplant. I am proud to have introduced the bipartisan Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act to help remove barriers to the national adoption of automated electronic organ donor referrals in health systems so we can give hope to patients waiting for the gift of life. The Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act would authorize a voluntary study of the current use of automated electronic deceased organ donor referral technology across the Nation. This study will allow us to identify the best practices for the use of such technology and develop informed recommendations for its broad adoption. The following organizations support the Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act: United Network for Organ Sharing, Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney Fund, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, American Society of Transplantation, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Liver Foundation, American Nephrology Nurses Association, North American Transplant Coordinators Association, American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, American Association of Kidney Patients, Waitlist Zero, Kidney Transplant Collaborative, LifeNet Health, Gift of Life Donor Program, Gift of Hope, Infinite Legacy, Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation, Transplant Families, LifeCenter Northwest, Life Connection of Ohio, Lifebanc, HonorBridge, One Legacy, New Jersey Sharing Network, Lifesharing Donate Life Organization, LifeGift, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, and Lifeline of Ohio. I would like to thank the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for being a steadfast partner on this critical issue. UNOS is a mission- driven non-profit that has led the United States' Organ Procurement and Transplant Network for nearly 40 years. UNOS employees have a significant and consistent impact on the Greater Richmond Region area, and I am proud to have so many passionate constituents in my district who work every day to support our Nation's organ donation and transplant system. UNOS continues to lead efforts to improve the system, including advocating for the importance of automated electronic deceased donor referrals. I thank them for their work to promote the gift of life through organ donation and transplantation. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you rise with me to honor the work being done to advance the automatic organ donor referral programs across the Nation. ____________________