The main organizational features of AIRT are outlined The InterRegional Transplant Association (AIRT) was founded in Turin in 1989 by experts in transplantain Table 2. They pre-suppose a network among regional centres with equal responsibilities, involvement of tion from the region of Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. regional offices with co-responsibility, appropriate separation of operative from organizational functions, In February 1994, the Health Offices of the regions involved drew up a working agreement on quick dissemination of knowledge and information [1], direct connection by computer links, co-responsibility co-ordination of organ procurement and transplantation activities in the whole area (11.8 million inhabitamong operative units (intensive care, immunogenetics, transplant units) and transparency of waiting list ants). The contents (Table 1) chiefly regarded the direct engagement of Health Offices in these activities, the admission criteria and organ allocation [2], as reported by other transplant organizations [3–6 ]. interregional co-ordination of autonomous regional centres, the standardization of outside relationships According to the agreement, the Interregional Co-ordination centre shall be run by one Regional with other national interregional transplant centres and the autonomous creation of area transplant centres Reference Centre, on a 3-year rotation basis. In the 1994–1997 term, it came under the Piedmont region remain responsible for including and running waiting lists within a framework of unified co-ordination and with headquarters at the Transplant Immunogenetics Service at Turin’s Molinette Hospital. Since June 15, controls. An interregional centre was set up, operating 1997 management of the Centre has passed to the Transplant Reference Centre of the Emilia-Romagna through technical and scientific co-operation by AIRT experts. In 1994, it was officially recognized by the region [7]. By regional law 53/1995 ‘Norms for enhancing, rationalizing and co-ordinating organ and tissue Health Ministry as the Interregional Co-ordination Centre and included in the National Health Plan. In procurement and transplant activities’ [8], the EmiliaRomagna region resolved to further the interregional 1997, the autonomous Province of Bolzano (the bilingual Italian–German speaking region of North Italy) agreement by building up its own Transplant Reference Centre. To this end, specific staff have been appointed joined AIRT. On March 1998, AIRT included 12.2 million inhabitants, four Regional Centres (Bologna, and independent headquarters set up with their own logistic arrangements. The functions of this centre are Bolzano, Florence and Turin) and one Interregional Centre situated in Bologna. purely organizational, with co-ordination and verification of the whole organ and tissue procurement and Table 1. AIRT agreements on co-ordination of organ and tissues transplant sector; all operative processes, regarding procurement and transplant activities: main points