Understanding why some donated kidneys are not used for transplants

Identifying Behavioral Factors Contributing to High Discard Rate of Deceased Donor Kidneys

['FUNDING_R01'] · ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-TEMPE CAMPUS · NIH-11051798

This study looks at why many healthy kidneys from deceased donors are not used for transplants, by exploring how doctors decide which kidneys to accept, with the hope of finding ways to get more kidneys to patients who really need them.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY-TEMPE CAMPUS (nih funded)
Locations1 site (TEMPE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11051798 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the reasons behind the high discard rates of deceased donor kidneys, focusing on the decision-making processes of clinicians. By analyzing a unique dataset that links kidney offer information with records of doctors who evaluate these offers, the study aims to uncover variations in acceptance thresholds among individual doctors. This could help identify behavioral factors that influence whether a kidney is deemed suitable for transplantation. The ultimate goal is to improve the utilization of transplant-quality kidneys for patients with end-stage renal failure.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with end-stage renal failure who are awaiting kidney transplants.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in need of a kidney transplant or those who are not eligible for transplantation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased availability of kidneys for transplantation, improving outcomes for patients with end-stage renal failure.

How similar studies have performed: Similar research has shown that understanding clinician decision-making can lead to improved organ utilization, suggesting this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

TEMPE, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.