Cost of organ procurement and transplantation network data collection for a large transplant center

Collection of data on transplant candidates and recipients for the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) is a burden that falls primarily on the transplant centers. We examined the cost of data collection at one large transplant center. The average number of forms per year submitted more than 3 years was 5245. For the 3 years, 2.46 full time equivalents (FTEs) were committed to this data collection. Annual salaries in addition to benefits (calculated at 22% of salary) for these FTEs were US$143 026.22. The calculated annual cost per form submitted amounted to US$27.27. Collection of data on transplant candidates and recipients is expensive and the cost of data collection should be understood before the institution of new data collection requirements for the transplant centers.