One in Five Transplant Centers Fail to Meet Federal Standards
According to a recent study, one-fifth of the nation's organ transplant centers do not meet Federal standards for patient survival or perform the required minimum number of operations annually.
Between 2002 and 2004, these programs had 71 more patients die than expected within a year of transplant, as determined by Federal standards. The standards are adjusted for the condition of the patients and the organs.
Most of the nation's transplant centers are funded by Medicare, which requires a minimum number of transplants and a specific survival rate to be certified for funding. Although the agency has authority to revoke transplant centers' certificates and funding, it rarely does so. For a complete summary of the Medicare approved transplant centers, the US Department of Health & Human Sevices provides a listing at the CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid section of its website.
The investigative story by the Los Angeles Times regarding transplant failures has prompted Sentator Charles Grassley, chairman of the Finance Committee, to ask the Government Accoutability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of the organ procurement and oversight system.
Between 2002 and 2004, these programs had 71 more patients die than expected within a year of transplant, as determined by Federal standards. The standards are adjusted for the condition of the patients and the organs.
Most of the nation's transplant centers are funded by Medicare, which requires a minimum number of transplants and a specific survival rate to be certified for funding. Although the agency has authority to revoke transplant centers' certificates and funding, it rarely does so. For a complete summary of the Medicare approved transplant centers, the US Department of Health & Human Sevices provides a listing at the CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid section of its website.
The investigative story by the Los Angeles Times regarding transplant failures has prompted Sentator Charles Grassley, chairman of the Finance Committee, to ask the Government Accoutability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of the organ procurement and oversight system.