Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
May 15, 2024
UNOS Applauds Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill to Enhance Organ Transportation
TLDR
- Improving the transportation of donor organs through commercial aviation will increase efficiency and potentially give patients quicker access to life-saving transplants.
- The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act requires the Department of Transportation to convene a working group to develop best practices for transporting organs in the cabin of a commercial aircraft.
- Bringing organs back into the cabin of an airplane can make a significant impact on the lives of patients on the waitlist, generous donors, and their families by ensuring organs travel as safely and efficiently as possible.
- Before the September 11 attacks, organs were transported within a commercial flight’s main cabin under supervision of the aircrew, prompting significant changes to airport protocols.
Impact - Why it Matters
The passage of the FAA reauthorization bill with the provision to improve the transportation of donor organs is crucial for the organ donation and transplant community. This move signifies a bipartisan understanding of the importance of ensuring the safe and efficient transport of organs, ultimately impacting the lives of patients on the waitlist, generous donors, and their families. It also highlights the commitment to honor the gift of life and the need to address the challenges faced by the transportation of organs, ultimately aiming to increase the number of transplants performed and ensure equitable access to transplant for patients across the nation.
Summary
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has expressed support for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, which includes a provision to enhance the safety and efficiency of transporting donor organs through commercial aviation. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish a working group to develop best practices for transporting organs in the cabin of a commercial aircraft. This move aims to address the challenges faced by the organ donation and transplant community since the September 11 attacks, which led to organs being transported in the cargo hold, potentially impacting their usability.
The provision in the FAA reauthorization bill is the result of ongoing advocacy by UNOS and other members of the organ donation and transplant community, reflecting a bipartisan consensus on the importance of this issue. UNOS also recommends the use of physical trackers for unaccompanied donor organs and the establishment of a centralized organ tracking system to further reduce the risk of delaying or damaging organs in transport.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by News Direct. Read the original source here, UNOS Applauds Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill to Enhance Organ Transportation
