What establishes the criteria for matching organ donors to recipients?

The criteria for matching organ donors to recipients is primarily established through the UNOS computer database. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) operates the national transplant system in the United States. It maintains a comprehensive database that includes vital information about both donors and recipients, which allows for efficient and equitable matching based on medical criteria such as blood type, tissue type, and urgency of need.

This centralized database ensures that the allocation of organs is managed fairly and based on standardized medical guidelines, which helps optimize transplant outcomes and reduce waiting times for patients in need of transplants. By using a computerized system that considers a range of medical factors and eligibility criteria, UNOS plays a crucial role in the organ transplant process, enhancing the likelihood of successful transplants and patient survival.

While the other options may play a role in the broader process of transplantation, they do not establish the primary criteria for matching donors and recipients as effectively or systematically as the UNOS database does. For instance, hospital staff recommendations may offer insights or support, but the rigorous matching relies on data-driven protocols housed within the UNOS system. Similarly, while a patient’s age and local transplant centers can influence some aspects of the transplant process, they are not the foundational criteria for matching in the way that