The role of the United Network for Organ Sharing and designated organ procurement organizations in organ retrieval for transplantation.

Abstract

With the increasing success of organ transplantation in this country, there are increasing numbers of patients who are awaiting a transplantable organ. Congress has established a national Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, which is administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing. Organ retrieval is performed by 70 organ procurement organizations, each having a designated service area. The need for transplantable organs falls further and further behind the increasing demand.