Glossary Term

UNOS

United Network for Organ Sharing

The private, nonprofit membership organization that coordinates the national matching system, the OPTN, under contract to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As OPTN contractor, UNOS has established and continually strives to improve tools, systems and quality processes that support OPTN contract objectives and requirements. (Organdonor.gov April 2020)

The private, nonprofit membership organization that coordinates the nation’s transplant system through HRSA’s OPTN contract. As OPTN contractor, UNOS is responsible for meeting all contract requirements. As contractor since the first OPTN contract award in 1986, UNOS has established and continually strives to improve tools, systems and quality processes that support OPTN contract objectives and requirements. These include:
Managing the national organ transplant waiting list
Collecting, managing and reporting of sensitive clinical data in a secure, fail-safe environment
Facilitating an open, inclusive forum for development and continuous refinement of evidence-based policies and standards
Member and policy performance assessment to ensure equitable, safe treatment of candidates and recipients
Increasing donation and making the most of every organ that is donated through professional education, outcomes research, patient services and resources and public and professional education
Continuously improving the care, quality of life and outcomes of organ transplant candidates and recipients
(OPTN Glossary May 2021)