Launch of a Transformative Initiative by OPOs
In an significant move, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) has unveiled a transformative initiative that aims to define independently validated metrics for assessing the performance of Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs). This groundbreaking project, which has garnered the commitment of 54 out of the 55 OPOs across the nation, represents a collective effort to foster transparency and improvement within the organ donation system in the United States.
The Need for Enhanced Metrics
As the landscape of organ donation continues to evolve, the need for accurate and reliable metrics becomes increasingly crucial. The new initiative seeks to bolster accountability, trust, and equity within the OPO system. By focusing on updated performance measures, AOPO aims to ensure that the U.S. organ donation and transplantation framework remains life-saving and pioneering in the years ahead.
This collaborative project builds on the groundwork laid by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which recently made strides in developing performance evaluation metrics for OPOs. Set to kick off immediately, the initiative is expected to conclude before the upcoming OPO recertification cycle between 2027 and 2030.
Engaging Econometrica for Independent Oversight
Under AOPO's guidance, the selection process for an independent contractor was meticulous. Econometrica, Inc., known for its expertise in data analytics and healthcare communications, has been appointed to spearhead this crucial project. The firm's president, Cyrus Baghelai, expressed pride in supporting such an important undertaking. He noted that Econometrica’s experience in data-driven insights equips them well to deliver impactful results that will lead to positive changes in the organ procurement sector.
Jan Finn, co-chair of the AOPO Metrics Project Task Force, emphasized Econometrica's unique qualifications to create trustworthy data systems essential for evaluating OPO performance. Their partnership signifies a commitment to developing and validating comprehensive metrics that encapsulate the full scope of OPO operations.
Goals and Future Implications
While previous metrics established by CMS in 2020 laid the foundation for evaluating OPOs, this new initiative aims to refine and expand upon those measures. The focus will be on creating granular metrics that facilitate the identification of high-performing OPOs and promote successful practices nationwide. All participating OPOs are committed to collaborating with CMS to further enhance the metrics in alignment with recommendations found in key reports, including the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report, which addresses equity in organ transplantation.
Key areas of exploration in developing these metrics will include:
- - Creating a Performance Dashboard: A user-friendly interface to monitor OPO performance metrics, including efforts to address disparities in organ donation.
- - Consensus-Based Donation Rate Measurement: Establishing a standardized process to define what constitutes effective donation rates.
- - Utilizing Patient-Level Data: Incorporating detailed information on ventilated deaths and donor medical suitability to enrich understanding of the organ procurement landscape.
- - Transitioning to Electronic Reporting: Shifting toward digitally reported data will help minimize lag times, ensuring timely access to metrics.
Barry Massa, another co-chair, underscored the necessity for strong metrics that transparently depict OPO performance to the public. The future vision involves metrics that not only clarify the responsibilities of OPOs but also highlight their pivotal role in saving lives.
Collaborative Development Process
To prepare for the upcoming changes, a rigorous and inclusive development process will be employed, incorporating perspectives from independent experts and diverse stakeholders. This includes representation from transplant patients, donor families, healthcare centers, donor hospitals, and various oversight agencies. The aim is to construct a performance evaluation framework that genuinely strengthens the mission of OPOs.
AOPO remains dedicated to working alongside CMS on the adoption and implementation of these performance metrics to ensure continued improvement in the organ donation process.
About AOPO
Founded in 1984, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations is a not-for-profit trade association representing the organ donation community in the U.S. Committed to driving improvements in organ donation processes, AOPO collaborates with 47 member OPOs to promote organ, eye, and tissue donation, envisioning a future where every donation opportunity results in saved lives. More details can be found at
www.aopo.org.