Health care
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
Memorial Hermann transfers liver transplant patients
Following the immediate halt of all liver, kidney and pancreas organ transplant operations in April due to claims of malpractice in the system, Memorial Hermann Health System officials said in a statement the hospital system has successfully transferred all liver patients to other hospital waitlists as of May, and it is working toward restarting the kidney and pancreas program. George Kovacik, director of external communications for Memorial Hermann, said 60 patients in the kidney transplant program went to another hospital while 300 remained with Memorial Hermann. According to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, a national database of transplant patients, Memorial Hermann was one of five hospitals in the Houston region that provided liver transplants and one of only 16 statewide. The registry showed the majority of liver transplant patients went to Houston Methodist. “Houston Methodist has 1,244 kidney transplant
patients and 377 liver transplant patients on our lists now, and we are committed to providing a smooth transition for additional patients,” said Senior Communications Specialist Wes Hamilton. “We have 23 liver and more than 300 kidney transplant referrals right now.” Families of three deceased patients, Richard Mostacci, Daniel Rodriquez-Alvarez and Robert Osuna, filed lawsuits on May 20 against the head of the Memorial Hermann liver transplant program, Dr. Steve Bynon—who is still employed by the hospital system. The lawsuit claims lengthy wait times for liver transplants led to the deaths. “There is significant concern that the defendant was improperly excluding patients ... from receiving a liver transplant and depriving them of lifesaving care,” the lawsuit filing said. From July 2022-June 2023, seven patients on the Memorial Hermann liver transplant list died, according to the transplant registry.
Liver transplant waitlist turnover Memorial Hermann liver transplant waitlist turnover from July 2022-June 2023: • 48 patients originally on waitlist • 46 patients added • 52 patients removed
Of the 52 patients removed: Received transplant: 31 Condition deteriorated: 8 Died: 7 Other: 5 Recovered: 1
SOURCE: SCIENTIFIC REGISTRY OF TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Why it matters
In their words
What’s next
In the Houston region, four hospitals provide liver transplants for adult patients, with Memo- rial Hermann previously leading the successful transplant rate even above the tracked national average. According to the registry, the second highest performer of liver transplants in the region is Houston Methodist, which falls below the national average. CHI St. Luke’s Health Baylor and the DeBakey VA Medical Center also provide liver transplants in the region.
“Our investigation is ongoing, and we continue to cooperate with all regulatory authorities. Our primary priority is ensuring continuity of compassionate care for patients who were on the transplant program lists at the hospital.” GEORGE KOVACIK, MEMORIAL HERMANN DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Kovacik said there is currently no timeline on when the liver transplant program might be reactivated at Memorial Hermann, but all efforts are being focused on restarting the kidney and pancreas transplant program first. “We are actively working with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to make the necessary changes that will allow for the quick reactivation of the kidney/ pancreas transplant program under a different physician leadership structure,” Kovacik said. A number of additional malpractice lawsuits have been filed against Memorial Hermann following the transplant freeze, but all cases are still in the early phases and center around the physician who oversaw the program. Kovacik said Memorial Hermann is still communicating with new and existing patients regarding available resources.
Average percentage of patients receiving transplants after joining waitlist
Houston Methodist
National average
Memorial Hermann
“Houston Methodist has one of the largest transplant programs in the country and has the capacity to accommodate additional patients needing liver and kidney transplants. We are committed to help in any way we can to be sure those listed for transplant get the proper care and support they need at this time.” WES HAMILTON, HOUSTON METHODIST SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
80% 20% 40% 60% 0%
30 days 1 year 2 years 3 years
SOURCE: SCIENTIFIC REGISTRY OF TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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