[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             SUPPORTING AUTOMATIC ORGAN DONATION REFERRALS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2025

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the importance of 
studying the implementation of automated software tools that will 
improve and expedite the organ donation referral process.
  The United States has one of the best organ donation and 
transplantation systems in the world. Still, over 100,000 Americans 
remain on the national waitlist for an organ transplant. Just one organ 
donor can save as many as eight lives, which is why we must ensure the 
process for identifying and evaluating potential deceased organ donors 
is as efficient and accurate as possible.
  Hospitals are currently required to notify their collaborating organ 
procurement organization (OPO) of all imminent patient deaths in a 
timely manner to ensure they can maximize the number of organs 
recovered for transplant. The standard practice of hospital staff 
manually identifying patients to refer to donation, and then manually 
notifying OPOs of those patients, is not only time consuming and 
burdensome for busy hospital staff but increases the likelihood of 
human error missing a potential donor.
  Today, automated electronic deceased organ donor referral systems 
exist at a select few hospitals. These systems automate the donor 
referral process, allowing hospital staff more time to focus on direct 
patient care, minimizing the risk of human error, and potentially 
increasing the number of organs available for transplant.
  I am proud to have introduced the bipartisan Organ Donation Referral 
Improvement Act to help remove barriers to the national adoption of 
automated electronic organ donor referrals in health systems so we can 
give hope to patients waiting for the gift of life.
  The Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act would authorize a 
voluntary study of the current use of automated electronic deceased 
organ donor referral technology across the Nation. This study will 
allow us to identify the best practices for the use of such technology 
and develop informed recommendations for its broad adoption.
  The following organizations support the Organ Donation Referral 
Improvement Act: United Network for Organ Sharing, Association of Organ 
Procurement Organizations, National Kidney Foundation, American Kidney 
Fund, Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, American Society of 
Transplantation, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of 
Transplant Surgeons, American Liver Foundation, American Nephrology 
Nurses Association, North American Transplant Coordinators Association, 
American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, American 
Association of Kidney Patients, Waitlist Zero, Kidney Transplant 
Collaborative, LifeNet Health, Gift of Life Donor Program, Gift of 
Hope, Infinite Legacy, Association of Multicultural Affairs in 
Transplantation, Transplant Families, LifeCenter Northwest, Life 
Connection of Ohio, Lifebanc, HonorBridge, One Legacy, New Jersey 
Sharing Network, Lifesharing Donate Life Organization, LifeGift, 
LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services, and Lifeline of Ohio.
  I would like to thank the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) for 
being a steadfast partner on this critical issue. UNOS is a mission-
driven non-profit that has led the United States' Organ Procurement and 
Transplant Network for nearly 40 years. UNOS employees have a 
significant and consistent impact on the Greater Richmond Region area, 
and I am proud to have so many passionate constituents in my district 
who work every day to support our Nation's organ donation and 
transplant system. UNOS continues to lead efforts to improve the 
system, including advocating for the importance of automated electronic 
deceased donor referrals. I thank them for their work to promote the 
gift of life through organ donation and transplantation.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you rise with me to honor the work 
being done to advance the automatic organ donor referral programs 
across the Nation.

                          ____________________