UMC stripped of kidney transplant program

[okarol]

UMC stripped of kidney transplant program

Updated: Oct 28, 2008 01:21 PM

Jerry Brown reporting

Hundreds of people waiting for life-saving kidney transplants will have to go elsewhere for surgery. A federal agency review has determined that University Medical Center's kidney transplant program fails to meet the minimum standards for Medicare-approved transplant programs.

It was just five months ago that University Medical Center Hospital took over as Southern Nevada's sole facility for kidney transplants. Now, UMC is losing its program.

The federal agency which approves the transplant programs is pulling UMC's certification. Its report recommends that the hospital's certification for its transplant center be revoked, effective December 3.

In a statement to News 3, a government agency spokesperson says that the death rate has consistently been more than 50 percent greater than the expected death rate. In addition, over 40 deficiencies in the hospital's kidney transplant program were cited.

There are currently more than 200 people on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in our region. UMC officials call this news devastating.

"Our patients now, if this stands, are going to be forced to go to programs 300 miles away," says Ken Richardson of the Organ Donor Network. "I think the closest is in Phoenix, Los Angeles, or Salt Lake."

UMC can appeal the ruling, which the hospital says it plans to do. Nevada's Congressional delegation has also filed a protest against the action by the Department of Medicare and Medicaid Services.

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=9247228

[Rerun]

Ya know what? If they don't have the people on board to do the job right..... shut them the hell down.  Nevada can go to So. California and try to compete with the illegals for kidneys.

                                                               

[Sluff]

In a way it's nice to know someone is keeping tabs on these things.

[willieandwinnie]

UMC stripped of kidney transplant program

UMC can appeal the ruling, which the hospital says it plans to do. Nevada's Congressional delegation has also filed a protest against the action by the Department of Medicare and Medicaid Services.

They should be shut down if they aren't even proforming at Medicare standards. 

[Hippy]

With UMC closed down, now Nevada residents traveling to an other state for a transplant will be called  "Transplant Tourists "