CMS Warned Organ Transplant Programs Failing to Meet Standards

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) funds the majority of US transplant centers and requires them to achieve certain benchmarks. The Los Angeles Times reported in June that 20% of the 236 federally funded heart, liver, and lung transplant programs do not meet minimum CMS standards for the number of procedures performed and for survival rates. A total of 9 lung transplant programs and 36 heart transplant programs did not meet CMS standards. Those programs accounted for 71 more deaths than expected under normal conditions, based upon a government analysis of survival rates. CMS can revoke the certification of transplant programs that do not meet its standards.

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month that CMS sent warning letters to about 35 programs that have failed to meet its standards, offering them a last chance before taking enforcement action. That action could include loss of federal funding. The failing transplantation centers have not been identified publicly.

CMS plans to issue revised standards for transplantation programs before the end of 2006, rather than in 2007 as previously planned.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-transplant4aug04,1,3858771.story?ctrack=1&cset=true