Lax Inspection of Organs for Transplants Poses Huge Risks for Patients
Heart valves and ligaments taken from cadavers destined for transplants in patients across the USA are less likely to undergo strict government inspection than fruit for sale in your local grocery store. According to the FDA's own data, only 1 out of every 8 companies registered to process cadaver tissue for use in surgeries ever receives an inspection. The list of companies participating in this billion dollar business has increased from 406 to 2030 in the last five years.
The Associated Press conducted an investigation over three months and found problems including, inadequate testing for potentially deadly germs in the tissue which can result in transfer of deadly infections to recipient. Most companies involved in tissue tranplants are reputable and do a world of good. Patients who have lost eyesight and children born with defective hearts are among those who have benefited. However, when things go wrong, the consequences can be fatal. According to Seth Borenstein's article, here are some of the pitfalls in the current system: "A trade group, the American Association of Tissue Banks, requires accredited members to follow high standards, but without the FDA doing the same, hospitals and doctors can buy from unaccredited suppliers that offer tissue quicker or cheaper. Tissue isn't tested as thoroughly as blood is for infectious diseases. The FDA sets no limits on age or health of donors, or how long after death tissue can be taken. Funeral homes (as opposed to hospitals) don't have to report deaths to organ procurement groups, leaving them outside a regulatory system and able to cut side deals to supply body parts. Doctors often know little about the origins of tissue they use. Some hospitals buy it like surgical gloves and other supplies - based on price and availability. Patients are not always told they are receiving tissue from a cadaver or offered alternative treatments. Hospitals and doctors do not have to report tissue infections to health officials, and evidence suggests that many are missed." You can find out more information by reading the recent article by Seth Borenstein in the Washington Post, Surgeries Using Cadaver Tissue Poses Risks.