Register by August 31st for September 16th public forum on liver distribution

[Clark]

http://transplantpro.org/register-public-forum-liver-distribution-concepts/

Register for public forum on liver distribution concepts

The OPTN/UNOS Liver and Intestinal Organ Transplantation Committee is sponsoring a forum to discuss concepts intended to increase equity in access to liver transplantation. The forum will be held September 16, 2014, at the Hilton Rosemont Hotel near Chicago-O’Hare International Airport. You may also participate through a live teleconference.
Forum participants will discuss liver distribution issues addressed in this concept document issued in June, as well as responses to a questionnaire distributed along with the document.  Invited panelists will discuss key issues identified in potential revisions to liver distribution, with opportunities for forum participants to ask questions and offer additional comments.  The Committee members will consider input gathered from the questionnaire and forum as they continue to study improvements to liver policy.
Meeting Specifics and Who Should Attend
Meeting room space is limited, and advance registration is required.  While there is no cost to attend the forum, attendees have the option of ordering an individual lunch to be provided during the meeting.
The Committee encourages attendance from member institutions, professional societies, patient advocacy organizations, and other members of the public.  To allow opportunities for all constituencies to attend, your liver transplant program may register up to two representatives and your organ procurement organization may register up to one representative.  If there is additional meeting capacity as of August 15, member institutions may register additional representatives on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Registration Information
Click here to register. We will accept your registration through Sunday, August 31.  We’ll provide information about how to register for the teleconference at a later date.
You must cover your own travel and lodging expenses; however, a special reservation rate is available at the hotel through Friday, August 22 by specifying group code “UNO.”  Call the Hilton Rosemont at 888-452-6943 to reserve your room.
For additional information, send an e-mail to liver@unos.org.

[Clark]

http://transplantpro.org/liver-concept-forum-held-sept-16/

Liver forum presentations available

The public forum being held to discuss liver distribution concepts on September 16, 2014, will include a number of presentations by individuals and invited panelists.  The slide sets accompanying the scheduled speakers as of September 12, 2014, are available below.
 Please note that any alterations to speakers’ slides as of the time of the forum may not be represented in these materials. In addition, some slides may be summarized during the presentations or may be included in the archive as additional reference material beyond the speaker’s prepared remarks.
You can access registration information and additional background material on the OPTN website.
Liver Forum Slide Presentations
General Information
Financial Considerations: Costs to Patients by Catherine Frenette, M.D.
Why Optum Cares about Liver Distribution by Dr. Jon Friedman
Consequences for Minorities and Income Restricted Candidates by Kenneth Chavin, M.D., Ph.D.
Gift of Life Donor Program Perspective by Richard Hasz
Transplant Sick Patients and Maintain Outcomes by Ryutaro Hirose, M.D.
Commentary from University of Washington Medical Center Liver Transplant Program and LifeCenter Northwest OPO by Jorge Reyes, M.D. and Kevin O’Connor
Measures of Geographic Disparities: Are Waitlist Outcomes Enough? by David Goldberg, M.D.
Redistricting – Another Perspective by Michael Charlton, M.D.
Impact on Cold Ischemia Times and Organ Transportation Costs by Devin Eckhoff, M.D.
Welcome to the Public Forum by Dr. Carl Berg, OPTN/UNOS President
The Back Story on Redesigning Liver Distribution by David Mulligan, M.D.
Background, Methods and Results of Liver Distribution Concepts by John Lake, M.D., Sommer Gentry, Ph.D., Dorry Segev, M.D., Ph.D.
Share 35 Liver Policy: Analysis at 1 year
Economic Implications of Redistricting by David Axelrod, M.D.
Impact on OPOs and the Transplant System by Marlon Levy, M.D.
Share 35 Operational and Financial Considerations by Sean Van Slyck
Financial Considerations: OPO Perspective by Jeffrey P. Orlowski

[Clark]

I didn't get too far into the slides before I came across the living donor card: Failures of the deceased donor allocation system drive living donor numbers up. Interesting that on the liver side of the room they have the courtesy to be conflicted about that. Still no solid data to support the claim.