UNOS Seeks Probation for UCI Transplant Program
The United Network for Organ Sharing has proposed putting the kidney program at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center on probation until a number of changes are implemented, the Los Angeles Times reports.
In a letter sent to UCI officials Friday, UNOS said the hospital would have to hire a second full-time transplant surgeon for its kidney program. The hospital, if put on probation, also would have to pay for unscheduled visits by UNOS, provide written proof that problems have been corrected and notify other transplant centers of the program's status.
Eugene Spiritus, chief medical officer at the hospital, said UCI will not appeal the probation and said he believes the center could make the necessary changes (Ornstein, Los Angeles Times, 2/18).
KPCC's "KPCC News" on Friday reported on the report. The segment includes comments from Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania; Michael Drake, chancellor of UC-Irvine; and one of the medical transplant patients who is suing UC-Irvine (Davis, "KPCC News," KPCC, 2/17).
The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer.
In addition, KQED's "The California Report" on Friday reported on the report. The segment includes comments from Caplan and Drake (Davis, "The California Report," KQED, 2/17). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer.