Organ Allocation and Transplant Outcomes
Allocation
Once approved for transplant, candidates are added to a national computerized waiting list for organ allocations that is managed by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). UNOS cooperates with organ procurement organizations throughout the country to place organs and tissues locally, regionally and nationally. LifeLink of Georgia facilitates organ donation for the state of Georgia.
The donor organ is matched to the recipient's specific blood group and approximate body weight/size. Most candidates wait for their transplant opportunity outside of the hospital, carrying beepers to alert them when an appropriate donor organ has been acquired if they are not reachable at home. Donor lungs are allocated solely by length of time on the waiting list.
Please note that the first call to patients does not always mean the transplant will occur. Occasionally, close examination reveals that the particular donor organ is not strong or healthy enough. In such rare cases, treatment will continue to be provided for the patient while the wait is resumed without any negative effects on future waiting time. More detailed information on preparing for transplant surgery is provided in the patient education handbook that is issued by our office to those who are placed on the waiting list.
Outcomes
Emory's patient and graft survival rates are consistent with the following national outcome levels. Due to extensive clinical research and advancements in immune tolerance medicines at our facility, results continue to improve.
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Thirty Days: 97% |
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One Year: 75-80% |
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Three Years: 60-70% |
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Five Years: 50-60% |
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