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Transplant List Called Misleading

1/3 of patients on the list not eligible for surgery

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 22, 2008 2:16 PM CDT

(Newser) – Thousands of patients on a national list for organ transplants are actually ineligible to receive them, the Washington Post reports. One third of the 98,000 patients on the United Network for Organ Sharing list are either too sick or too healthy to get a new organ. Critics say including these "inactive" patients on the list is "deceptive" and "dishonest."

UNOS points out that many of the inactive patients are temporarily ineligible due to fleeting complications. "Whether it's 75,000 or 100,000, there are still far more people who need transplants than can get them," said UNOS's president-elect. "None of this changes the fact that there is a significant number of people who die waiting." Still, critics and supporters agree that it should be more accurate because the list is UNOS's best "marketing tool" for recruiting donors.

Actor Robert Goulet arrives at the 2005 Tony Awards, in this June 5, 2005, file photo. The big-voiced baritone died from a form of pulmonary fibrosis on Oct. 30 in Los Angeles while awaiting a lung transplant.
Actor Robert Goulet arrives at the 2005 Tony Awards, in this June 5, 2005, file photo. The big-voiced baritone died from a form of pulmonary fibrosis on Oct. 30 in Los Angeles while awaiting a lung transplant....   (Associated Press)
Laurie Cavanaugh holds hands with her husband Mike Cavanaugh in her hospital room Friday, June 1, 2007. Oregon State offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf donated a kidney to Laurie in a live-organ transplant.
Laurie Cavanaugh holds hands with her husband Mike Cavanaugh in her hospital room Friday, June 1, 2007. Oregon State offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf donated a kidney to Laurie in a live-organ transplant.   (Associated Press)
Samantha Mathis plays a critically ill woman awaiting a heart transplant in the television movie, A Stranger's Heart. Mathis hopes that the movie will inspire increased organ donations.
Samantha Mathis plays a critically ill woman awaiting a heart transplant in the television movie, "A Stranger's Heart." Mathis hopes that the movie will inspire increased organ donations.   (Associated Press)
Max Haggerty, 23, in pre-op for double lung transplant at University of Washington. The 23-year-old had waited for a lung donor for several months.
Max Haggerty, 23, in pre-op for double lung transplant at University of Washington. The 23-year-old had waited for a lung donor for several months.   (Associated Press)
Eight-year-old Sarah Dickman is readied for kidney transplant surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston in Atlanta, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008.
Eight-year-old Sarah Dickman is readied for kidney transplant surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston in Atlanta, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008.   (Associated Press)
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North Carolina tries new campaign for donations
News-Record (Greensboro, NC)

Organ donation counsellor receives kidney
Hartford Courant (Conn.)

Wales looks into presumed consent
BBC

 
organ transplants • heart transplants • kidney transplant • lung transplants • United Network for Organ Sharing • organ donation • UNOS • transplant list • liver transplants

 
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