The mix-up involved two patients who have the same name and are close in age. The 51-year-old patient who received the kidney was also on the transplant list, although ranked lower in priority.
A staff member recognized the mistake a day after the surgery. Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health, which acquired Lourdes Health System this summer, voluntary reported the error to New Jersey health officials.
“This is an unprecedented event in our respected 40-plus-year transplant program,” Reginald Blaber, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer of Virtua Health, said in a statement to CBS 3 Philly. “As an organization committed to safety and process, we immediately instituted additional measures and educational reinforcement to help ensure this does not happen again.”
The higher-priority patient underwent a kidney transplant Nov. 24. Both patients’ transplant surgeries were successful.
More articles on clinical leadership & infection control:
1,800 CT scans went unread at Walter Reed since 2011
5 hospitals seeking CMOs
Consistent hospitalist care linked to better patient outcomes, study finds
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.