Comparison of Kidney Exchange Programs in Europe (COST-ENCKEP)

B.J.J.M. Haase-Kromwijk, A.C. Hemke, J. van de Klundert

Friday 16 march 2018

10:05 - 10:10h at Willem Burger Foyer

Categories: Donation, Session (parallel)

Parallel session: Poster session 9: Donation

Introduction

The study was performed by the European Network for Collaboration on Kidney Exchange Programs (ENCKEP)¹, that started in 2016 and which brings together policy makers, clinicians and optimization experts in Europe to stimulate an European dialogue on this topic. The COST ENCKEP platform is supported by the EU, and is open for participation to all EU countries and beyond. In this first part of the project participating countries exchanged current practices with respect to national KEPs.

Methods

The information on current practices was collected by using a pre structured questionnaire, which was sent to all 23 European countries participating in ENCKEP. The required information was collected by the contributing representatives. The results of these questionnaires were discussed in two workshops in January and March 2017, with the representatives of the participating countries.

Results

Of the 23 participating countries 14 confirmed to have a kidney exchange program. Further classification according the level of development resulted in 3 large, advanced programs, 7 smaller operating programs, 4 programs in preparation and 3 countries which had no program yet, but intended to start one. The contribution of the KEPs ranged from 0 till 25 % of the total number of living donor kidney transplants. Differences on the patient and donor inclusion, organizational and clinical aspects, matching process and other specificities of the program have been described in a handbook².

Conclusion, future steps

The results of a questionnaire among 23 countries have been used to write a Handbook on current practices², criteria for success and identification of possible risks and opportunities associated with KEPs. Next step of the project is to compare the different allocation algorithms. Other COST-ENCKEP working groups proceed from this with the aim to develop a jointly used common framework for data optimization and to develop and test a prototype for transnational KEPs.

¹ www.cost.eu/COST_Action/ca/CA15210

² www.enckep-cost.eu/news/news-first-handbook-of-the-cost-action-ca15210-57