An HHS agency has directed the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to improve national monitoring and to reopen an investigation into a Louisville, Ky.-based organ procurement organization.
The Health Resources and Services Administration is pursuing “a major initiative to begin reforming the organ transplant system” after an investigation conducted during the administration of former president Joe Biden was closed without action, according to a July 21 news release from HHS.
The HRSA investigated 351 transplant cases coordinated through Network for Hope, previously known as Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates before a merger. The probe focused on patients’ suitability for donation after circulatory death. The audit found that, among about 350 cases in which Network for Hope halted organ procurement plans, 73 patients showed improving or high levels of consciousness.
No surgeries occurred, but multiple patients who underwent preparation for an organ removal showed signs of pain or distress, according to the report. HRSA also said it found evidence the organ procurement organization attempted to pressure families into authorizing donation and hospital staff to remove life support prematurely.
Network for Hope denied the finding, said it adheres to federal regulations and is considering updating its practices.
“Patient safety is our top priority. Network for Hope looks forward to working collaboratively with HHS and HRSA and encourages the development of policies that support the betterment of the organ transplant system as a whole,” a spokesperson told Becker’s.
In a May letter to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, HRSA said it has received reports of high-risk donations after circulatory death procurement practices at several other organ procurement organizations.
HHS also directed the OPTN to enhance its policies and report safety-related stoppages of organ donation to regulators.
A day before the HHS announced its plan to overhaul the nation’s organ transplant system, The New York Times reported that some organ procurement organizations “are aggressively pursuing circulatory death donors and pushing families and doctors toward surgery.” Read more here.
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