>>UNOS Begins Investigation into Safety of Richmond's VA Transplant Program
(Richmond, VA) -- The troubled heart transplant program at Richmond VA Medical Center is under investigation by the United Network for Organ Sharing. Thomas Cage reports.Preview: Voicer Script:
Concerns were raised by employees about the program's safety after two transplant-related deaths in 2021 and the program's suspension last September. The department of Veteran's Affairs internal review did not determine if the program was unsafe, but questions were raised about the chief transplant surgeon's operation times. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the program remains inactive as it awaits results from the investigation and officials are hopeful they will recieve approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing. In the meantime, some veterans have been transferred to other hospitals while waiting for transplants.