The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall develop scientific evidence in support of efforts to increase organ donation and improve the recovery, preservation, and transportation of organs.

In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1) conduct or support evaluation research to determine whether interventions, technologies, or other activities improve the effectiveness, efficiency, or quality of existing organ donation practice;

(2) undertake or support periodic reviews of the scientific literature to assist efforts of professional societies to ensure that the clinical practice guidelines that they develop reflect the latest scientific findings;

(3) ensure that scientific evidence of the research and other activities undertaken under this section is readily accessible by the organ procurement workforce; and

(4) work in coordination with the appropriate professional societies as well as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and other organ procurement and transplantation organizations to develop evidence and promote the adoption of such proven practices.

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as appropriate, shall provide support for research and dissemination of findings, to—

(1) develop a uniform clinical vocabulary for organ recovery;

(2) apply information technology and telecommunications to support the clinical operations of organ procurement organizations;

(3) enhance the skill levels of the organ procurement workforce in undertaking quality improvement activities; and

(4) assess specific organ recovery, preservation, and transportation technologies.

For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 377C, as added Pub. L. 108–216, § 5, Apr. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 587.)