The national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), administered by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), is dedicated to providing assistance to transplant candidates and potential living donors in the event of a natural disaster affecting long-term services of transplant centers. Every transplant center is a member of the OPTN/UNOS which has a well-established communication system. This includes 24-hour telephone access and a web site.

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster that disrupts the Queen’s Transplant Center’s ability to function, call and check the following for updates on our status and for other information you may need:

• Queen’s Transplant Center by phone 808-691-8897 or by website
• OPTN/UNOS Patient Services by phone at 1-888-894-6361
• Media announcements on your television or radio
• Transplant web-sites: 
  • optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/
  • www.transplantliving.org

Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of Medicare certification
• Notification by UNOS of an adverse action imposed upon the center
• Unavailability of transplant surgeon(s)
• Natural disaster requiring transfer of patients that result in the Center’s potential long-term disruption of service.

As soon as possible, we will attempt to contact transplant candidates and potential living donors. We will provide assistance to waiting list patients who choose to transfer to the waiting list of another Medicare-approved transplant center without loss of time accrued on the waiting list.

Remember, the single largest determinant in how well you will recover after a disaster is how well you’ve prepared before a disaster strikes. We strongly encourage you to prepare an emergency supply kit. Below is a list of resources and information that you may find helpful. We encourage you to keep this information with your emergency kit so it is accessible at all times.

Additional disaster preparedness resources:

• http://www.ready.gov/
  Ready is a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters.
• http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared
  American Red Cross
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/inclusive-preparedness-resources.html “Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities” (A5091) from the American Red Cross
• https://www.weather.gov/ National Weather Service

If you go to a shelter, bring:

• Your entire supply of medications and medication list with you. This is important because it may be days or weeks before you are able to return to your home.
• Medical supplies and equipment, e.g., peritoneal dialysis equipment (gloves, mask, caps), oxygen, nebulizer, CPAP, feeding tubes, etc.
• Cooler to store medications or other supplies that need to be cold.
• Insurance cards and identification card.
• Other items in your emergency supply kit.

Upon arrival to the shelter, inform the staff of the following:

• Any special medical needs you may have, e.g., require assistance with ambulation, position change, and transfer.
• Medication that needs refrigeration, e.g., insulin.