1. Transplant Administrators Committee (TAC)
Spring 2016

2. TAC OPTN Activities Education/communication efforts
Considering fiscal impact of OPTN policies
Informing OPTN/UNOS Committees
Contributing to cross-committee work groups
As part of the TAC’s ongoing OPTN activity, we have a standing education workgroup that will:
Help inform the transplant community about OPTN educational resources
Advise UNOS on educational resources and topics that patients, transplant centers and other transplant professionals would find useful
Compile educational materials for fellow transplant administrators
Collaborate with other transplant organizations on educational efforts – this will help eliminate duplicative educational efforts
Additionally, committee members have consistently raised concerns about the fiscal impact OPTN policies have on transplant centers. Recognizing these concerns are not a part of the current policy development process, the TAC and OPO Committees gave UNOS staff input on how to develop a process and resources that will help both OPOs and transplant centers address this issue. UNOS staff are currently considering these suggestions.
The TAC continues to give OPTN/UNOS Committees feedback about public comment proposals before they are released for public comment. TAC members also contribute to OPTN/UNOS cross-committee work groups to provide insight into how changes might affect transplant center operations.

3. 2015 UNOS Staffing Survey Released: February 2016
Closes: May 15, 2016 – This is new!
Only programs that complete survey can see benchmarking data
Help documentation available
Attend help session at 2016 TMF
Survey available at
Every year we invite transplant centers to participate in a staffing survey. This helps administrators determine optimal staffing levels—both nursing and ancillary—given the size and unique characteristics of their transplant center.
The staffing survey’s primary focus is to get a sense of the size and scope of each transplant program. It also identifies the type of personnel working there, as well as how many perform in each role.
In return, we provide benchmarking data only to those programs that submit their completed form. Previously, we released the 2014 Staffing Survey in January and programs had until June 30 to complete it. This year we changed the deadline to May 15th. If you did not complete your 2014 survey, please make sure you complete the 2015 survey so you can receive the data. You will not be able to complete the survey after May 15.
The TAC UNOS Staffing Survey work group developed help documentation slides that members can reference when completing the survey and once again we will offer a help session at this year’s Transplant Management Forum in April. You can sign up to attend a help session when you register for the Forum.
You can access the survey on the UNet Transplant Administrators site. Contact the UNet Helpdesk at or if you need access.

4. 2016 UNOS Request For Information (RFI)
2016 UNOS RFI released January 28th:
Contact payers for deadlines
2016 RFI updates
Annual updates
Elimination of SRTR data
The UNOS Request for Information (RFI) documents were implemented for transplant hospitals to be able to submit essential organ transplant program data to insurance and managed care companies.
UNOS released its 2016 transplant center RFI on January 28th 2016.  Transplant administrators may complete the forms until the 2017 RFI is released, but you should contact your center’s payers for any deadlines.
2016 RFI updates :
• Annual updates to include current dates
• No longer need to attach SRTR data to the RFI. Payers agreed that they access the SRTR data from the SRTR site and in March 2015 they approved the removal of this section in the 2016 RFI.
Transplant administrators should work with the person who is responsible for completing your center’s RFI since they may need some assistance with transplant terminology and information requirements.
The RFI is available on the UNet transplant administrators’ website ( Review your center’s data tables at srtr.org before completing the RFI. (Note: If you have questions about SRTR data, please contact SRTR at
Contact the UNet Help Desk with questions or to obtain access.

5. Transplant Administrators Listserv
Join our Listserv!
ators/info
All transplant administrators are invited to join the Listserv. It’s an excellent way to get immediate feedback and advice from your fellow administrators and learn about educational opportunities. Just use the URL on this slide and follow the instructions.

6. The 2016 UNOS Transplant Management Forum (TMF) will be on April 4-6 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN. Register by March 1st for the early bird registration fee of $750. Rate increases $100 after that.
You don’t want to miss any of the sessions this year. But here’s one that benefits OPOs and Transplant Hospitals
“Competing Priorities: OPO vs. Transplant Hospital Performance Metrics”
The regulatory prescription for OPO and transplant program performance metrics has inadvertently created a perplexing quagmire. While OPOs are asked to maximize the recovery of every organ every time, transplant programs are compelled to be cautious due to specific outcome measures, creating a “push/pull” experience. Two experts will capture these opposing priories and explain the inherent complexities involved. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and work on solutions.
Susan Gunderson, M.H.A., CEO, LifeSource Organ & Tissue Donation and
Alan Reed, M.D., M.B.A., Professor and Director, Organ Transplant Center, University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics

7. Questions? Amy Peele, RN Committee Chair amypeele1953@yahoo.com
Angel Carroll, MSW Committee Liaison