Questions and Answers for Transplant Candidates About the New Kidney Allocation System - Unos

The Questions and Answers for Transplant Candidates About the New Kidney Allocation System - UNOS is a document that provides information and answers commonly asked questions about the new kidney allocation system in the United States. It aims to help transplant candidates understand how the system works and what changes it brings.

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) files the Questions and Answers for transplant candidates about the new kidney allocation system.

FAQ

Q: What is the new kidney allocation system?
A: The new kidney allocation system is a system developed by UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) to determine how kidneys are allocated to patients on the waiting list.

Q: Why was the new kidney allocation system implemented?
A: The new kidney allocation system was implemented to make the allocation process more equitable and based on medical need rather than time on the waiting list.

Q: How does the new kidney allocation system work?
A: The new kidney allocation system uses a scoring system called the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) to match deceased donor kidneys with potential transplant recipients based on factors such as the likelihood of organ rejection.

Q: What is the Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI)?
A: The Kidney Donor Profile Index (KDPI) is a scoring system that assesses the quality of deceased donor kidneys based on factors such as the donor's age, cause of death, and medical history.

Q: How does the KDPI affect kidney allocation?
A: The KDPI is used to prioritize patients based on their estimated post-transplant survival with a particular kidney. Patients with a higher estimated survival rate will have higher priority for receiving a kidney.

Q: Will the new kidney allocation system affect my chances of receiving a kidney transplant?
A: The new kidney allocation system aims to improve the overall fairness of the allocation process, but it may result in some changes to individual patients' chances of receiving a kidney transplant.