Organ retrieval and collection of health information for donation: The ORCHID dataset

Organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with advanced diseases. However, the demand for transplants far exceeds the supply of donated organs, and there are currently over 100,000 people waiting for a transplant in the United States. The lives of these patients depend on the efficacy of organ procurement organizations (OPOs), which coordinate the recovery of organs from deceased donors. However, many studies have found high variation in performance amongst OPOs. Coordinating data collection and analysis across OPOs is a crucial first step in closing performance gaps and achieving more effective organ donation. In 2021, the Federation of American Scientists announced a collaboration in which six OPOs committed to an unprecedented level of data sharing. This paper marks the release of ORCHID, this collaboration's first public dataset. ORCHID comprises detailed information on referrals for donation, procurement outcomes, and process data from the participating OPOs. Our goal in releasing this data is to promote research that leads to better services for organ donors, donor families, and patients waiting for transplants.