U.S. Organ Donation Organizations Achieve Record Recovery Numbers Despite Regulatory Challenges

Record Achievement in Organ Donation in 2024

In an impressive turn for the U.S. healthcare system, organ procurement organizations (OPOs) nationwide have made significant strides in the recovery of organs, surpassing previous limits and setting a new benchmark in 2024. With over 45,000 organs recovered, this accomplishment marks a 14-year streak of growth in organ donations, showcasing the relentless dedication of OPOs despite navigating complex and often misaligned federal policies. This recognition comes from the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), which emphasizes the importance of coherent policies that align all stakeholders in the organ donation and transplantation process.

The Stark Reality of Organ Recovery

The milestone of 45,217 organs recovered included life-saving transplants for 39,505 individuals. However, amid this triumph, the report highlighted a troubling trend: a growing number of viable organs that are not being utilized due to inconsistencies in federal regulations. These policies not only jeopardize patient lives but also affect the ability of OPOs to maximize the potential of every donated organ.

As OPOs continue their work, they find themselves advocating for better alignment in regulatory frameworks that dictate both the donation and transplant processes. For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have implemented directives that paradoxically increase the number of viable organs for donation while also creating obstacles for transplant centers to accept them. This has resulted in an alarming rise in organs, particularly kidneys from older donors or those with complex medical histories, being declined—an increase of 83% in non-use over the past five years.

The Role of Expedite Protocols

To address these challenges, OPOs have engaged in emergency protocols like expedited placement, where an organ that has been declined multiple times is offered to patients who may not be the immediate next candidates but are potential matches. Such measures aim to prevent functional organs from going unused. Given that these protocols are permitted by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), collaboration among stakeholders is vital.

Unfortunately, proposals to enhance patient transparency and explore new out-of-sequence allocation protocols were delayed recently, prompting OPOs to push for government action to rectify the systemic inconsistencies affecting organ use.

Immediate Actions Needed

While the potential for federal action looms, OPOs are not waiting idly. They have introduced initiatives such as the Transplant Growth Collaborations, aimed at amplifying successful practices among OPOs and transplant centers to combat non-use rates and streamline the patient experience in the donation system. These collaborations are crucial as they cultivate an environment where high-performing transplant centers can share their experiences and strategies, ultimately leading to increased organ acceptance and usage.

As these efforts unfold, the threat of certification removals for almost half of the nation’s OPOs under new CMS regulations in 2026 raises urgent concerns about the sustainability of the organ donation infrastructure. The implications could be dire, affecting not only operational OPOs but also the thousands of patients who rely on these systems for life-saving transplants.

Call to Action

The need to act is pressing, and the AOPO urges healthcare professionals, donor families, and advocates to rally support for comprehensive policy change to secure the future of organ donation in the U.S. With the health of over 100,000 patients currently waiting for transplants at stake, immediate legislative support is essential to overcoming the hurdles of organ non-use and ensuring that more lives can be saved through transplantation. As AOPO President and Gift of Life Michigan CEO Dorrie Dils states, “the progress we've achieved proves the system's resilience, but with federal support and collaboration, we can go even further.”

In summary, the recovery of over 45,000 organs in 2024 symbolizes both great progress and the urgent need for policy adjustments to safeguard future advancements in the organ donation system. With the right intervention, U.S. hospitals and patients await an improved donation experience that acknowledges the critical nature of organ transplants in saving lives.