1. Transplant Administrators Committee
Fall 2015

2. TAC OPTN Activities Educational/communication efforts
Considering fiscal impact of OPTN policy
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 make the transplant community aware of 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. 2014 UNOS Staffing Survey Released: January 28, 2015
Closed: June 30, 2015
Only programs that complete survey can see benchmarking data
Survey results 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 each 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. The 2014 Staffing Survey was released in January and programs had until June 30 to complete it. If you did not complete your 2014 survey, please make sure you complete the 2015 survey so you can receive the data.
The survey is on the UNet Transplant Administrators site. Contact the UNet Helpdesk at or if you need access.

4. 2014 UNOS Staffing Survey
Administrators were able to submit results for the 2014 staffing survey until June 30. Response to the 2014 survey has turned slightly downward compared to 2012 and 2013, but still above previous years. Responses ranged from 55% of heart programs to 65% of lung programs. The Committee will continue to aggressively promote the Survey, striving to reach its goal of 75% participation.
In efforts to reach the 75% participation goal, the Staffing Work Group surveyed programs that didn’t participate to find out why and perhaps create actions that would encourage future participation. The Work Group also plans to use the feedback to improve the 2015 Staffing Survey.

5. 2014 Staffing Survey Response by Region
This is the survey response broken out by region.  Rates range from a low of 33% of liver programs to a high of 100% of kidney programs. You can see region 6 had the highest response rate across organs and our region averaged X% {regional rep insert average %} across organs.

6. 2015 UNOS Staffing Survey Expected release: End of January 2016
Closes May 15, 2016 – This is a change!
Help documentation will be available
Attend Help sessions at 2016 TMF
Start looking for the 2015 UNOS Staffing Survey to be released next year at the end of January. We’ve changed the deadline to May 15th so be sure to set some time aside to complete it. After May 15 you will not be able to complete the survey.
The TAC UNOS Staffing Survey work group is working to develop help documentation slides that members can reference when completing the survey and help sessions will be available again at the 2016 TMF.

7. 2016 UNOS Request For Information (RFI)
2016 UNOS RFI release in January:
Suggested 2016 RFI updates
Annual updates
Elimination of SRTR data
Contact payers for deadlines
UNOS will release its 2016 transplant center RFI [request for information] at the end of January 2016.  Transplant administrators may complete the forms until the 2017 RFI is released, but you should contact your center’s payers for any deadlines.
Suggestions for 2016 RFI updates :
• Annual updates to include current dates
• Elimination of requesting SRTR data to be attached to the RFI. Payers agreed that they access the SRTR data from the SRTR site and approved the removal of this section for the 2016 RFI in March 2015
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.

8. 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.

9. A big thank you to those that attended the 2015 UNOS Transplant Management Forum (TMF). It was the second largest forum in its 23 years.
Total number of attendees: 548
Total number of exhibitors: 53
Total number of sponsors/donations: 21/1
Total number of approved abstracts: 45

10. The 2016 UNOS Transplant Management Forum (TMF) will be on April 4-6 at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN. Registration will open in December and the early bird registration fee is $750.
The Committee is currently accepting abstracts for the 2016 TMF until January 18, 2016 for an award and poster presentation only.

11. Questions? Amy Peele, RN Committee Chair amypeele1953@yahoo.com
Regional Rep Name Region X Representative address
Angel Carroll, MSW Committee Liaison