Heart transplants at VA medical center shut down after patient deaths
A heart transplant center at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Richmond Medical Center in Virginia is under investigation by a non-profit regulatory body after multiple employees filed complaints regarding safety concerns.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch initially reported on the issues surrounding the transplant program last fall. The outlet now confirms that, shortly after, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) opened an inquiry into operations at the facility.
According to their records, complaints initially came from hospital leadership and were later extended to oversight bodies at the VA, including the Office of the Inspector General. A review of the program by the VA could not validate some of the hospital’s data, particularly around procedure times.
Some transplants were reportedly taking much longer than anticipated, putting patients at serious risk of injury or death. According to complaints, some patients were on a cardiac bypass machine for eight hours, far exceeding the 180-minute threshold typically allowed for transplants.
Two patients reportedly died shortly after receiving new hearts.
Veterans in the area seeking transplants have been moved to other hospitals while UNOS and the VA conclude their investigations. The initial pause at the Richmond VA Medical Center was set for 45 days but has now extended into its 19th month.
For more, read the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s full coverage at the link below.
Chad is an award-winning writer and editor with over 15 years of experience working in media. He has a decade-long professional background in healthcare, working as a writer and in public relations.