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MUSC is proud of its nationally-recognized organ transplant program,
which includes the only liver transplant program in the state. A
potential change to the rules governing liver transplants would change
how donated livers are distributed to recipients on the waiting list.
This change, if it comes about, would adversely affect MUSC patients
and the liver transplant program. The MUSC leadership has taken
measures to bring attention to this matter on behalf of the
organization.
Leaders of MUSC Transplant Service Line point out that currently livers
recovered locally stay local 70 percent of the time but are shared
across the region if local recipients are not sick enough. The region
and nationwide sharing is reserved for only the sickest patients.
Modeling of the proposed policy change suggests less than half of the
livers donated in South Carolina will go to South Carolina patients.
This will adversely affect MUSC patients, particularly those who do not
have the resources to travel long distances to other hospitals.
The proposed policy change does not address the issue of minorities’
access to transplant. This is particularly important to South Carolina
because of the large percentage of African-American patients waiting
for transplants.
The proposed change also does not adequately consider the impact on
local donation. People may be less interested in donating when they
realize less than half the locally donated organs will remain in South
Carolina to help patients in our own communities. Larger states would
be allowed to take organs recovered from donors in South Carolina
instead of working harder to increase organ donations in their own
state.
Our clinical leaders have emphasized that the added distance our donor
teams must travel means organs will have to be kept on ice longer. This
delay will increase the chances the organs will not function properly
once implanted, thus increasing re-transplant rates.
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is soliciting public
comments from individuals as a part of their policy development
process. Comments are being accepted through April 24 at http://unos.org/policiesAndBylaws/publicComment/submitYourComment.asp?PropID=262.
UNOS explains on its Web site that submission of information is
voluntary and responses will be anonymous and confidential. The
information will be reported collectively and responses will not be
associated with any individual person.
As a member of the public with an interest in fulfilling MUSC’s mission
and serving the citizens of South Carolina, individuals may be
interested in submitting their own personal comments on the UNOS Web
site.
Again, MUSC leadership, on behalf of the organization, has taken action
to communicate our views on this issue. The UNOS Web site provides an
opportunity for individuals to provide personal comments on the
proposed rules changes as indicated above.
Anyone who would like additional details concerning the impact of the
proposed regulation changes that affect MUSC's transplant program
may contact Kim Phillips, transplant service line administrator, at
792-5097, phillk@musc.edu; or Prabhakar Baliga, M.D., transplant
service line medical director, baligap@musc.edu.
Thank you very much.
W. Stuart Smith
Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center
Friday, April 10, 2009
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