organassist

OrganAssist is a digital platform and service that supports organ donation and transplantation by coordinating donor identification, consent management, organ allocation, logistics, and post-transplant follow-up. It aims to improve organ utilization, reduce cold ischemia time, and increase transparency across participating hospitals and organ procurement organizations.

It originated as a collaborative project among transplant centers, organ procurement organizations, and regulatory bodies in the early 2010s. The platform has evolved through pilots in several countries, with international data standards and interoperability being a core goal.

Key features include secure patient and donor registries, real-time matching algorithms, electronic consent workflows, shipment scheduling and tracking, chain donation coordination, and audit logs. It emphasizes data privacy, consent governance, and compliance with applicable health information laws.

Governance and ethics: an independent advisory board oversees clinical safety, equity of access, and transparency. OrganAssist supports standardized policies for allocation that balance urgency, compatibility, and fairness, while allowing local customization. It also supports research use of de-identified data with appropriate approvals.

Impact and criticism: supporters cite improved waitlist management, higher organ offer acceptance rates, and reduced transplant delays. Critics raise concerns about data security, potential biases in allocation algorithms, and the need for robust governance to prevent inequities. Ongoing development focuses on expanding interoperability, enhancing decision support, and integrating with national registries.