Health Services
Organ Recovery - The Process
Organ Recovery Home 
Once the recipient is listed, the patient waits until donor information is entered into the same UNOS computer system which prompts a match run of recipient to donor information. A list of potential recipients is generated by the UNOS computer, in order of priority. The greatest need in a local area would go to the sickest patient, who was compatible with the donor size (height, weight) and blood type, which had waited on the list the longest period of time. In the case of liver and small bowel allocation, if no suitable match is found within the state boundaries, the match list is extended to regional sharing. Nebraska shares a six-state region with Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming and Colorado. If no match is found at the regional level, the match list is extended to a national level until a suitable match can be found. The organ allocation system is slightly different for heart, lung, kidney and pancreas.
The transplant center surgeon and physicians receive information regarding a potential donor referral from the organ recovery coordinator. It is determined whether or not to use the referred organ for transplant based on medical suitability for their recipient.
