For Patients and Families
Understanding the SRTR Website: Your Gateway to Transplant Information
The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) website is an invaluable resource for patients seeking organ transplants. It provides comprehensive data on transplant programs across the United States, helping you make informed decisions about your care. The SRTR database contains information from every transplant and organ donation in the US since October 1, 1987. https://srtr.org
1. Navigating Program-Specific Reports (PSRs)
Program-Specific Reports (PSRs) are detailed reports about each transplant program, updated twice yearly in January and July. They contain crucial information about:
- Waiting list statistics
- Transplant rates
- Post-transplant outcomes
- Donor information
To access a PSR, use the search box at the top of the SRTR website. Each hospital may have multiple transplant programs (e.g., liver, lung, heart, kidney), and a separate PSR is produced for each program at each transplant hospital.
2. Using the Search and Compare Function
The SRTR website’s search and compare functionality is a powerful tool for finding and evaluating transplant programs. Here’s how to use it effectively:
a) Initiating a search:
- Go to the search box at the top of any page on the SRTR website.
- Choose the type of organ transplant program from the drop-down box.
- Optionally, enter a ZIP code, program name (partial names work), or the program’s 4-character center code.
b) Refining search results:
- After initiating a search, you can further filter results by:
- Center name (full or partial)
- Distance from a ZIP code (up to 750 miles)
- State
- Adult or pediatric data
c) Understanding search results:
- Results are presented in a table with additional information, including:
- Outcome assessments
- Transplant volume
- Transplant rates
- 1-year organ survival rates
d) Comparing programs:
- Use the “Show National Rates” button for context for the 5-tier assessments.
- Sort results by clicking on column headers.
- Pay attention to the blue icon () indicating the most impactful assessment for patient survival.
3. Evaluating Outcome Assessments
SRTR uses a 5-tier outcome assessment system for easier public understanding and comparison of transplant programs. Programs are rated as having outcomes that are:
- Tier 1: Worse than expected
- Tier 2: Somewhat worse than expected
- Tier 3: As expected
- Tier 4: Somewhat better than expected
- Tier 5: Better than expected
These assessments are calculated for three key metrics:
- Survival on the waiting list (pre-transplant mortality rate)
- Getting a transplant faster (transplant rate)
- 1-year organ survival (first-year graft survival)
4. Considering Transplant Volume and Rates
Transplant volume and rates are crucial factors in your decision-making process:
- Transplant Volume: This refers to the number of transplants performed by a program in a year. Centers with higher volumes may have more experience.
- Transplant Rate: This metric indicates how quickly a program moves patients from the waiting list to transplantation. Programs are grouped into five tiers, with tier 5 having the highest transplant rates.
5. Analyzing Waiting List Information
Understanding waiting list data is crucial for gauging your potential wait time at different programs. The SRTR provides detailed information in Tables B8-B9 of the PDF version of the PSR, showing:
- Percentage of listed candidates who received transplants at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years
- Breakdown of information by patient characteristics
This data helps you estimate how long someone with your specific characteristics might wait for a transplant at a particular program.
6. Examining Post-Transplant Outcomes
Post-transplant outcomes are crucial for understanding long-term success rates. The SRTR provides:
- 1-year and 3-year graft and patient survival rates
- 5-tier assessment of the program’s success rate through the first year after transplant
Programs in tier 5 have the highest rates of success, evaluated over 2.5 years.
7. Expanding Your Geographic Search
Consider programs outside your immediate area to increase your chances of a successful transplant. The SRTR search function allows you to:
- Search within a certain distance of a ZIP code (up to 750 miles)
- Compare programs across different states or regions
For Healthcare Professionals
Advanced SRTR Data Analysis for Clinicians
Utilizing SRTR’s Statistical Methodologies
SRTR uses sophisticated statistical methods to analyze transplant program performance:
- Cox proportional hazard models
- Bayesian hierarchical models
These methods account for patient mix and provide risk-adjusted assessments of transplant program performance.
Interpreting Hazard Ratios and Confidence Intervals
Understanding hazard ratios and their associated confidence intervals is crucial for interpreting SRTR reports. These metrics provide insights into the following:
- Program performance relative to expected outcomes
- Statistical significance of the results
Evaluating Center-Specific Effects
Center-specific effects in SRTR models account for unmeasured confounders that may impact transplant outcomes. This helps in understanding the unique aspects of each program that contribute to its performance.
Analyzing Offer Acceptance Practices
Offer acceptance data provides insights into organ utilization practices and their impact on patient outcomes. This information can be valuable for program evaluation and improvement.
Leveraging SRTR Data for Quality Improvement
Healthcare professionals can use SRTR data to:
- Identify areas for improvement in their transplant programs
- Implement evidence-based interventions
- Benchmark performance against national standards
By mastering these strategies, patients and healthcare professionals can make the most of the SRTR website, ultimately improving transplant opportunities and outcomes.
How The Kidney Experts Leverage SRTR for You
Our team is dedicated to using SRTR data to its fullest potential. We:
- Regularly review and analyze SRTR reports
- Use the data to make informed referrals to transplant centers
- Help you understand the complex information SRTR provides
- Guide you in making data-driven decisions about your transplant journey
By leveraging SRTR, we’ve helped numerous patients find optimal transplant opportunities, often at centers they might not have considered otherwise.
Remember, at The Kidney Experts, we’re here to help you navigate the transplant process. Our expertise in using SRTR data and our commitment to patient care ensure you have the best chance of a successful transplant.
Need help to understand your transplant options? Contact The Kidney Experts today. Let us use our SRTR expertise to help you!
References
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “Guide to Using the SRTR Website: Searches for Transplant Programs.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/about-the-data/guide-to-using-the-srtr-website/txguidearticles/searches-for-transplant-programs/
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “Guide to Using the SRTR Website.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/about-the-data/guide-to-using-the-srtr-website/
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “FAQs for Patients and Donors.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/faqs/for-patients-and-donors/
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “Comparing Transplant Programs.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/about-the-data/comparing-transplant-programs/
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “The SRTR Database.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/about-the-data/the-srtr-database/
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “5-Tier Outcome Assessment.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/about-the-data/guide-to-using-the-srtr-website/txguidearticles/5-tier-outcome-assessment/
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR). “Program-Specific Reports.” Available at: https://www.srtr.org/reports/program-specific-reports/
