A cost comparison of liver acquisition fees for donation after circulatory death versus donation after brain death donors.

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors now represent over 30% of the deceased donor pool in the United States. Compared to donation after brain death, DCD is less likely to result in transplantation. For each potential donor whose organs cannot be utilized for transplantation (ie, dry run), fees are associated with the attempted donation, which add to the overall costs of organ acquisition. To better characterize the true costs of DCD liver acquisition, we performed a cost comparison of the fees associated with organ acquisition for DCD versus donation after brain death at a single transplant institute that comprises 2 liver transplant centers. Cost, recipient, and transportation data for all cases, including fees associated with liver acquisition from July 1, 2019, to October 31, 2021, were collected. We found that the total cost of DCD liver acquisition per liver transplant was $15,029 more than that for donation after brain death donation, with 18% of the costs of the DCD transplant attributed to dry runs. Overall, the costs associated with DCD transplantation accounted for 34.5% of the total organ acquisition costs; however, DCD transplantation accounted for 30.3% of the transplantation volume. Because the expansion of DCD is essential to increasing the availability of liver grafts for transplantation, strategies need to be implemented to decrease the costs associated with dry runs, including using local recovery, transferring donors to hospitals close to transplant centers, and performing more prerecovery organ analysis. Moreover, these strategies are needed to ensure that financial disincentives to DCD procurement and utilization do not reverse the gains made by expanding the organ donor pool using machine perfusion technologies.

The Medical Costs of Determining Eligibility and Waiting for a Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Recent efforts to increase access to kidney transplant (KTx) in the United States include increasing referrals to transplant programs, leading to more pretransplant services. Transplant programs reconcile the costs of these services through the Organ Acquisition Cost Center (OACC). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the costs associated with pretransplant services by applying microeconomic methods to OACC costs reported by transplant hospitals. RESEARCH DESIGN, SUBJECTS, AND MEASURES: For all US adult kidney transplant hospitals from 2013 through 2018 (n=193), we crosslinked the total OACC costs (at the hospital-fiscal year level) to proxy measures of volumes of pretransplant services. We used a multiple-output cost function, regressing total OACC costs against proxy measures for volumes of pretransplant services and adjusting for patient characteristics, to calculate the marginal cost of each pretransplant service. RESULTS: Over 1015 adult hospital-years, median OACC costs attributable to the pretransplant services were $5 million. Marginal costs for the pretransplant services were: initial transplant evaluation, $9k per waitlist addition; waitlist management, $2k per patient-year on the waitlist; deceased donor offer management, $1k per offer; living donor evaluation, procurement and follow-up: $26k per living donor. Longer time on dialysis among patients added to the waitlist was associated with higher OACC costs at the transplant hospital. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve the policy goals of more access to KTx, sufficient funding is needed to support the increase in volume of pretransplant services. Future studies should assess the relative value of each service and explore ways to enhance efficiency.

Living Donor Decision-Making and the Complex Interplay of Finances and Other Motivators, Barriers, and Facilitators.

INTRODUCTION: The decision to become a living donor requires consideration of a complex, interactive array of factors that could be targeted for clinical, policy, and educational interventions. Our objective was to assess how financial barriers interact with motivators, other barriers, and facilitators during this process. METHODS: Data were obtained from a public survey assessing motivators, barriers, and facilitators of living donation. We used multivariable logistic regression and consensus k-means clustering to assess interactions between financial concerns and other considerations in the decision-making process. RESULTS: Among 1592 respondents, the average age was 43; 74% were female and 14% and 6% identified as Hispanic and Black, respectively. Among employed respondents (72%), 40% indicated that they would not be able to donate without lost wage reimbursement. Stronger agreement with worries about expenses and dependent care challenges was associated with not being able to donate without lost wage reimbursement (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.3; OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1-1.3, respectively). Four respondent clusters were identified. Cluster 1 had strong motivators and facilitators with minimal barriers. Cluster 2 had barriers related to health concerns, nervousness, and dependent care. Clusters 3 and 4 had financial barriers. Cluster 3 also had anxiety related to surgery and dependent care. CONCLUSIONS: Financial barriers interact primarily with health and dependent care concerns when considering living organ donation. Targeted interventions to reduce financial barriers and improve provider communication regarding donation-related risks are needed.

Public Opinions on Removing Disincentives and Introducing Incentives for Organ Donation: Proposing a European Research Agenda.

The shortage of organs for transplantations is increasing in Europe as well as globally. Many initiatives to the organ shortage, such as opt-out systems for deceased donation and expanding living donation, have been insufficient to meet the rising demand for organs. In recurrent discussions on how to reduce organ shortage, financial incentives and removal of disincentives, have been proposed to stimulate living organ donation and increase the pool of available donor organs. It is important to understand not only the ethical acceptability of (dis)incentives for organ donation, but also its societal acceptance. In this review, we propose a research agenda to help guide future empirical studies on public preferences in Europe towards the removal of disincentives and introduction of incentives for organ donation. We first present a systematic literature review on public opinions concerning (financial) (dis)incentives for organ donation in European countries. Next, we describe the results of a randomized survey experiment conducted in the United States. This experiment is crucial because it suggests that societal support for incentivizing organ donation depends on the specific features and institutional design of the proposed incentive scheme. We conclude by proposing this experiment's framework as a blueprint for European research on this topic.

A review of the possibility of adopting financially driven live donor kidney transplantation

ABSTRACT Kidney transplantation for end-stage renal disease remains the preferred solution due to its survival advantage, enhanced quality of life and cost-effectiveness. The main obstacle worldwide with this modality of treatment is the scarcity of organs. The demand has always exceeded the supply resulting in different types of donations. Kidney donation includes pure living related donors, deceased donors, living unrelated donors (altruistic), paired kidney donation and more recently compensated kidney donation. Ethical considerations in live donor kidney transplantation have always created a debate especially when rewarding unrelated donors. In this paper, we examine the problems of financially driven kidney transplantation, the ethical legitimacy of this practice, and propose some innovative methods and policies that could be adopted to ensure a better practice with accepted ethical guidelines.

Análise dos incentivos contratuais de transplantes de rins no Brasil pelo modelo agente-principal / Analysis of contractual incentives for kidney transplants in Brazil using the principal-agent model / Análisis de los incentivos contractuales de trasplantes de riñón en Brasil mediante el modelo agente-principal

Resumo: O objetivo do artigo foi analisar os incentivos contratuais de transplantes renais no Brasil com base no modelo agente-principal. A abordagem assume que o Ministério da Saúde seja o principal e os hospitais públicos credenciados pelo Sistema Nacional de Transplantes sejam o agente. O bem- estar do Ministério da Saúde depende das ações tomadas pelos hospitais captadores desse órgão. Os hospitais alocam esforços administrativos, financeiros e gerenciais para realizar as ações de doação, remoção, captação e transplante de rim. Os hospitais podem escolher os níveis de esforços que são compatíveis com os pagamentos e incentivos recebidos referentes ao custeio de transplantes. A solução para esse tipo de problema está na estruturação de um contrato ótimo de incentivos, no qual se requer um alinhamento de interesses de ambas as partes envolvidas nesse sistema de transplantes.

Abstract: The aim of this article was to analyze contractual incentives for kidney transplants in Brazil based on the principal-agent model. The approach assumes that the Brazilian Ministry of Health is the principal and the public hospitals accredited by the National Transplant System are the agent. The Ministry of Health's welfare depends on measures taken by hospitals in kidney uptake. Hospitals allocate administrative, financial, and management efforts to conduct measures in kidney donation, removal, uptake, and transplantation. Hospitals may choose the levels of effort that are consistent with the payments and incentives received in relation to transplantation costs. The solution to this type of problem lies in structuring an optimal incentives contract, which requires aligning the interests of both parties involved in the transplantation system.

Resumen: El objetivo del artículo fue analizar los incentivos contractuales de trasplantes renales en Brasil, a partir del modelo agente-principal. Este enfoque asume que el Ministerio de Salud sea el principal y los hospitales públicos, autorizados por el Sistema Nacional de Trasplantes, sean los agentes. El bienestar del Ministerio de Salud depende de las acciones tomadas por los hospitales receptores de este órgano. Los hospitales proporcionan los esfuerzos administrativos, financieros y de gestión para realizar las acciones de donación, extirpación, recepción y trasplante de riñón. Los hospitales pueden escoger los niveles de esfuerzos que son compatibles con los pagos e incentivos recibidos, referentes al costeo de trasplantes. La solución para este tipo de problema está en la estructuración de un contrato óptimo de incentivos, en el que se requiera un alineamiento de intereses de ambas partes involucradas en este sistema de trasplantes.

Intra-hospital organ and tissue donation coordination project: cost-effectiveness and social benefits / Projeto de coordenação intra-hospitalar de doação de órgãos: custo-efetividade e benefícios sociais

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the viability of a professional specialist in intra-hospital committees of organ and tissue donation for transplantation. METHODS Epidemiological, retrospective and cross-sectional study (2003-2011 and 2008-2012), which was performed using organ donation for transplants data in the state of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Nine hospitals were evaluated (hospitals 1 to 9). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the differences in the number of brain death referrals and actual donors (dependent variables) after the professional specialist started work (independent variable) at the intra-hospital committee of organ and tissue donation for transplantation. To evaluate the hospital invoicing, the hourly wage of the doctor and registered nurse, according to the legislation of the Consolidation of Labor Laws, were calculated, as were the investment return and the time elapsed to do so. RESULTS Following the nursing specialist commencement on the committee, brain death referrals and the number of actual donors increased at hospital 2 (4.17 and 1.52, respectively). At hospital 7, the number of actual donors also increased from 0.005 to 1.54. In addition, after the nurse started working, hospital revenues increased by 190.0% (ranging 40.0% to 1.955%). The monthly cost for the nurse working 20 hours was US$397.97 while the doctor would cost US$3,526.67. The return on investment was 275% over the short term (0.36 years). CONCLUSIONS This paper showed that including a professional specialist in intra-hospital committees for organ and tissue donation for transplantation proved to be cost-effective. Further economic research in the area could contribute to the efficient public policy implementation of this organ and tissue harvesting model.

OBJETIVO Avaliar a viabilidade de profissional especialista em comissões intra-hospitalares de doação de órgãos e tecidos para transplantes. MÉTODOS Estudo epidemiológico, retrospectivo e transversal (2003 a 2011 e 2008 a 2012), realizado com dados de doação de órgãos para transplantes no estado de São Paulo. Foram avaliados nove hospitais (hospitais 1 a 9). Foram avaliadas, por regressão logística, diferenças em número de notificações de morte encefálica e doadores efetivos (variáveis dependentes) após a entrada do profissional especialista (variável independente) na comissão intra-hospitalar de doação de órgãos e tecidos para transplantes. Para avaliação do faturamento hospitalar, foram calculados o salário-hora de médico e enfermeiro, conforme legislação da Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho, o retorno e o prazo do retorno do investimento. RESULTADOS Após a entrada de enfermeiro especialista na comissão, as notificações de morte encefálica e o número de doadores efetivos aumentaram no hospital 2 (4,17 e 1,52, respectivamente). No hospital 7, o número de doadores efetivos também aumentou de 0,005 para 1,54. E, após entrada de enfermeiro especialista, o faturamento hospitalar aumentou em 190,0% (variação de 40,0% a 1.955%). O custo mensal para 20 horas semanais do enfermeiro foi R$940,00 e, do médico, R$8.330,00. O retorno do investimento foi de 275%, em curto prazo (0,36 anos). CONCLUSÕES A inserção de profissional especialista nas comissões intra-hospitalares para captação de doação de órgãos e tecidos para transplantes mostra-se custo-efetiva. Novos estudos econômicos na área podem contribuir com uma política pública eficiente de implantação desse modelo de captação de órgãos e tecidos para transplantes.

Ética y trasplantes de órganos: búsqueda continua de lo que es aceptable / Ethics and organ transplantation: continous search for defining what is acceptable

In the past 50 years, Transplant Medicine has been adopted worldwide as a growing option for treatment of many organic diseases. Ethical Issues in organ replacement therapy have emerged since the begining. Significant advancements in the care of critically ill patients, as well as the increasing need of cadaveric organs for transplantation, definitively influenced a complex discussion about new criteria for definition of death, one of the most complex ethic debates in last century. Criteria for organ assignment are also cause of profound debate, especially when the number of patients waiting for an organ is extremely high compared with organ availability. Living donor represents a very complex figure in modern medicine, security issues as well as the need to offer them absolute respect to their capacity to decide must be considered in every patient. Ethics in transplantation represent a continuous search for defining what is acceptable.

La práctica de la medicina de trasplante ha sido adoptada, como primera opción terapéutica, para un número creciente de enfermedades orgánicas durante los últimos 50 años. Diversos y complejos cuestionamientos éticos han surgido desde los primeros años. El desarrollo paralelo de formas avanzadas de cuidado en el paciente críticamente enfermo y la necesidad de órganos para trasplante, obligaron a una rápida reconsideración acerca de los criterios para definir la muerte, uno de los debates más encarnizados del siglo XX. La selección de receptores para trasplante es también motivo de profunda controversia y discusión, diversos cuestionamientos de orden ético se plantean en relación con la asignación de órganos cadavéricos para trasplante, estos puntos de debate adquieren inusitada importancia en un escenario de enorme demanda de órganos para trasplante. La compleja figura del donador vivo en la práctica de la medicina de trasplante obliga a la precisa definición de los criterios de seguridad y de respeto a la capacidad de decisión respecto a la donación. Ética en trasplante de órganos representa una continua búsqueda por definir lo que es aceptable.

Ciências, mercado e patentes do DNA humano / Human DNA science, market and patents

Analisa as diferentes possiblidades de uso dos atuais avanços da genética, situando principalmente a questäo do patenteamento do DNA humano. Faz uma defesa da economia de mercado mas estabelece, porém, ser inaceitável, por qualquer propósito, admitir-se uma estrutura social que subordine o valor moral do corpo humano a interesses comerciais. Alerta para o fato de que a comercializaçäo das informaçöes genéticas pode se transformar em instrumento de aumento das desigualdades entre as naçöes ricas e pobres. Defende, outrossim, a necessidade de estabelecer clara distinçäo entre descoberta e invençäo, e que somente a última deve ser contemplada com o direito à propriedade intelectual. Considera fundamental contrapor-se à tendência atual de tornar a vida humana passível de interesses comerciais explícitos. Finalmente, chama a atençäo para o risco de serem adotadas fórmulas de quaisquer fundamentalismos, quer sejam os anticientíficos, quer sejam os gerados pelo monetarismo das sociedades de mercado

Estudio de costos del procuramiento renal en Chile / Costs study of the organ procurement in Chile

El objetivo de esta investigación fue conocer cuáles son los costos reales del procuramiento renal nacional. Se efectuó un análisis retrospectivo entre 1996 y 1999 de los costos fijos y costos variables, los que se prorratearon por el número total de riñones procurados, el que fue definido como la unidad. El análisis demuestra que el costo unitario es de 930.000 pesos (U$ 1.735), en el año 1999. El FONASA entrega a la Corporación de Transplante el equivalente a U$ 600. Existen variabilidad anual, en términos de que a mayor cantidad de riñones obtenidos, su costo unitario disminuye por la mayor eficiencia del uso de los costos fijos. En países desarrollados el costo unitario de un rinón procurado fluctúa entre U$ 9.600 y U$ 16.900, con un promedio de U$ 13.417. Existen algunos costos que en nuestro estudio se encuentran subvalorados, dado que algunas de las presentaciones son hechas gratuitamente como acciones de beneficencia. Para que esta actividad permanezca en el tiempo, se requiere de un mayor financiamiento a fin de poder darle proyecciones necesarias para satisfacer la creciente demanda de órganos que existe a nivel nacional