The Simulated Allocation Models (SAMs) is a family of computer simulation programs developed by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for the purpose of simulating the allocation of organs and the outcomes of the candidates on the waiting list and post-transplant.

The family consists of the Liver Simulated Allocation Model (LSAM), the Thoracic Simulated Allocation Model (TSAM) and the Kidney-Pancreas Simulated Allocation Model (KPSAM).

The program has been designed to support studies of alternative organ allocation policies. It can use a variety of allocation rules to determine how a series of organs would be allocated to a list of potential recipients under each of the rules considered. The allocation process involves some random components reflecting the uncertainty in acceptance decisions when an organ is offered to a potential recipient and reflecting the unpredictable life expectancy that can result from receiving a transplant or not. In order to account for such random variation, the program can simulate the allocation process several times with the same set of allocation rules, candidate lists, and organs in order to determine what happens on average.

Products related to the SAMs include a user guide for each model explaining the modeling approach and processes internal to the simulation, papers, and presentations to committees. Several of these products are available for download in the SRTR publications list. Click here to get SAM documents.