 | Transplant coordinators Gina Pace (far left) and Terri Cook (right) review a lung patient’s status, based on latest test results, with Director of Lung Transplantion, Jonathen Orens. |
As all lung transplant patients age 12 and over know, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) now gives lung patients a lung allocation score (LAS) and requires them to update their LAS every six months. This score is based on an objective assessment of their medical condition. The result of the calculation gives each lung transplant patient a "lung allocation score," ranging from 0 (less ill) to 100 (gravely ill).
"The basic premise of the new plan is fair," says Director of Lung Transplantation, Jonathan Orens. "Patients should understand that the UNOS formulas for different diseases preclude bias. The computer calls the shots."
Patients’ medical conditions are first evaluated using a series of tests and medical examinations and then they are given their first LAS. After that, lung patients must complete tests at least once every six months. If their medical condition worsens or if they are hospitalized, it is vital that patients inform the lung transplant office. It is important that lung patients contact the transplant office if anything happens that may affect their scoring.
There are two actions that are necessary to move lung transplant patients closer to transplantation: (1) patients update their required tests every six months, or whenever needed and (2) the CTC submits test results to UNOS. Patients are ultimately responsible to keep their medical appointments and avoid delays in completing their testing.
Once the test results arrive at the CTC, two dedicated data coordinators see that these results are put into the UNOS database without delay.
Just over five months after UNOS started using lung allocation scores, the Johns Hopkins lung transplant team remains optimistic. However, because this is a new process, the Hopkins team is constantly looking at the scores to make sure that patients are receiving fair treatment.
