US begins organ-transplant reform as 'signs of life' found before some retrievals
The investigation conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of HHS, examined 351 cases where organ donation was authorized but not completed. It found 73 patients had shown neurological signs incompatible with organ donation and at least 28 patients may not have been deceased at the time organ procurement was initiated, the HHS said in a statement on Monday.
The probe also found evidence of poor neurologic assessments, questionable consent practices, and misclassification of causes of death in several cases, the agency said.
The HHS has directed the national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) to report to regulators data concerning safety-related stoppages of organ donation called for by families, hospitals, or staff at organ procurement organizations.
The HRSA has also said it would decertify Network for Hope - a federally funded organ procurement organization (OPO) that serves states including Kentucky, southwest Ohio, and part of West Virginia - if it does not comply with certain corrective actions.
"Network for Hope looks forward to working collaboratively with HHS and HRSA and encourages the development of policies that support the betterment of the organ transplant system as a whole," CEO Barry Massa told Reuters in an email.
The mandated actions include a root cause analysis of its failure to follow internal protocols and to develop policies to define donor eligibility criteria. It has also instructed the OPO to adopt a formal procedure allowing any staff member to halt a donation process in case of patient safety concerns.
OPOs are not-for-profit organizations responsible for recovering organs from deceased donors for transplantation.
The announcement comes after the New York Times on Sunday reported on premature attempts to remove organs from patients who exhibit signs of life.
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC News
a few seconds ago
- NBC News
Kennedy considering firing members of preventive services task force
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is considering removing all 16 members of a highly influential advisory committee that offers guidance about preventive health services, such as cancer screenings, HIV prevention medications or tests for osteoporosis, according to two people familiar with the plan. The United States Preventive Services Task Force is a group of independent doctors, nurses and public health experts who volunteer to regularly review volumes of the latest scientific research about diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mental health, as well as mammograms for breast cancer. Health and Human Services' spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement Friday that 'no final decision has been made on how the USPSTF can better support HHS' mandate to Make America Healthy Again.' Earlier this month, Kennedy caused alarm among task force members after he abruptly postponed a scheduled meeting that was set to focus on heart disease and prevention. At the time, task force members weren't given a reason for the cancellation or whether the meeting would be rescheduled. Kennedy's plans were first reported Friday by The Wall Street Journal. The task force plays an important role in protecting access to screenings and tests because the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, mandates that most private insurers provide the services that the group recommends to patients at no cost. The task force makes its recommendations using a grading scale. Under federal law, services that get an A or B grade but must be covered by insurance plans at no cost for patients. The advisory group has come under fire from conservative groups for some past decisions, including its 'A' recommendation to cover the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP. The advisory group has come under fire from conservative groups for some past decisions, including its 'A' recommendation to cover the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP. That recommendation led to a lawsuit from several Christian employers that ended up before the Supreme Court, where the justices decided 6-3 to uphold the Affordable Care Act provision that requires insurers to cover task force-recommended preventive services for free. However, the court agreed with the Trump administration that Kennedy has final say over decisions made by members of the task force because HHS has oversight over the group. As health secretary, he also has the authority to remove and replace members. Kennedy has made children's chronic disease a keystone of his position as the country's top health official. It's unclear which areas of health care Kennedy might target by shaking up the panel. In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — which makes recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccines, including for children — and replaced them with eight new members. The new panel includes well-known vaccine critics.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Earnings Teleconference Moves to Earlier Time on July 29
July 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As previously announced, UnitedHealth Group will release its second quarter 2025 financial results on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, before the market opens. The start time for the teleconference has moved to 8:00 a.m. ET, 45 minutes earlier than previously announced, to allow more time for discussion of results with analysts and investors. This call will be webcast on the Investor Relations page of the company's website ( The replay will be available through August 12 on the website. About UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a health care and well-being company with a mission to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone through two distinct and complementary businesses. Optum delivers care aided by technology and data, empowering people, partners and providers with the guidance and tools they need to achieve better health. UnitedHealthcare offers a full range of health benefits, enabling affordable coverage, simplifying the health care experience and delivering access to high-quality care. Visit UnitedHealth Group at and follow UnitedHealth Group on LinkedIn. View source version on Contacts Investors: investor_relations@ Media: uhgmedia@ Sign in to access your portfolio
CNET
29 minutes ago
- CNET
If You Have These 8 Kitchen Tools, They Are Probably Past Their Prime
It's easy to get attached to your go-to kitchen tools: your trusty spatula, the perfectly sized plastic cutting board or a can opener you've had since your first apartment. But not every kitchen essential is made to last forever. While some tools like cast-iron skillets or Dutch ovens get better with age, others wear down, lose effectiveness and can even become unsanitary no matter how well you wash them. Over time, plastic can warp, wooden utensils can harbor bacteria and dull blades can become dangerous. If your drawers are filled with aging gadgets you haven't looked at closely in a while, it might be time for an upgrade. Swapping out worn tools not only improves safety and hygiene, it can also make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Not sure where to start? Here are the kitchen items experts say you should consider replacing sooner rather than later. "Keeping your kitchen tools in good condition ensures both safety and efficiency," says Maricel Gentile, kitchen expert and founder of cooking school Maricel's Kitchen. "Plus, it's the perfect excuse to explore new gadgets, and some need replacing more often than you think." Below you'll find seven examples of kitchen tools that may have worn out their welcome in your kitchen. 1. Plastic cutting boards and utensils Plastic isn't impervious to bacteria, even if you're regularly putting it in the dishwasher. "Over time, knife marks can create deep grooves that are hard to clean and can harbor bacteria," Gentile says. "Also, plastics degrade with heat and use, releasing microplastics into the food." If you want to avoid microplastics in your food, replace your plastic cutting board of wear and tear can indicate that it's time for a change. "If your board is heavily scarred or stained, it's time to replace it," says Gentile. With other plastic tools, look for signs of discoloration, melting or warping. 2. Plastic storage containers Kitchen expert Sylvia Fountaine of Feasting at Home says to ditch plastic storage containers outright. If you're using them only to keep food in the fridge, it's probably OK, but the temptation to take storage containers from the fridge to the microwave is what makes them less than ideal. When heated, these types of containers can leach various chemicals into your food. "Opt for glass storage containers with bamboo lids," Fountaine says. Avoid putting your plastic Tupperware in the microwave.3. Graters, peelers and microplanes Metal tools with sharp edges, designed to break food down into bits like shreds and zest, don't have any of the risks associated with microplastics and are relatively easy to clean and sanitize but can overstay their utility if you're holding on to them for too long. "These dull over time and become less effective at shredding or zesting," Gentile says. "If your grater starts to mash instead of grate, it's time for a replacement. Your recipes will thank you!" 4. Can opener Whether a handheld or electric model, your can opener is not meant for the long term for a couple of reasons. "It will get dull over time," says Mitzi Baum, CEO at Stop Foodborne Illness, just like the tools above that rely on a sharp edge or blade. But the can opener also has sanitary implications. "It is a kitchen utensil that does not get regularly cleaned or sanitized," says Baum. "If it is not washed regularly, it will have food and bacteria build up on it and could contaminate other canned foods when used to open them." A bunker can opener. Nelson Aguilar/CNET If rust has also built up on your can opener, especially the blade that may come into contact with food, it's past time to replace it. 5. Kitchen sponges If your kitchen sponge smells, that's a good sign it's time to be replaced. JavierDoes your kitchen sponge smell? Do you think that's just how kitchen sponges always are? If so, you need to hear this. "Kitchen sponges need to be replaced regularly as sponges can support harmful bacterial growth because they are wet and sit at room temperature -- a temperature that bacteria like," Baum says. The musty smell of kitchen sponges indicates that bacteria are growing. There is a nonwaste solution: "The sponge can be included in the dishwasher as long as (it) includes a sanitizing cycle," Baum says. "If you do not have a dishwasher, replace your sponges regularly, especially when it begins to smell." 6. Wooden spoons and cutting boards If you're holding on to any wooden utensils or boards that belonged to a previous generation, don't. Wooden spoons and other utensils would seem to be heritage tools, because they're difficult to break or chip, but they're meant for a good time, not a long time. "Wooden spoons are kitchen workhorses, but they're also porous, which means they can absorb liquids, oils and odors and lead to bacterial buildup," says Debra Clark, kitchen expert and founder of Bowl Me Over. "If your wooden spoon is starting to look worn, smells funky or has deep grooves, it's time to replace it. A good rule of thumb is to replace them every year or so if they see heavy use." If your wooden spoon smells musty or looks worn, it's time to replace it.7. Nonstick pots and pans If your nonstick skillet looks anything like this, it's time to saddle yourself with a fresh pan. David Watsky/CNET The coating of nonstick pans is one of the biggest culprits of forever chemicals and microplastics. "These pans are a lifesaver for quick, low-fat cooking but the coating doesn't last forever," Clark says. "Over time, scratches and wear can not only reduce their effectiveness but may also release tiny bits of the nonstick material into your food," she says, which is the point where you might accidentally ingest some of it and it starts to become really harmful. "If your pan is scratched, flaking or sticking more than it should, it's time to invest in a new one. Most nonstick pans last about three to five years with regular use.'' (Nontoxic, nonstick brands that use ceramic include Caraway and Green Pan.) 8. Silicone baking equipment Rubber and silicone, especially cheap ones, have been found to leach chemicals into food. M Kitchen/CNET Silicone is found all over the kitchen, from rubber scrapers and oven mitts to baking mats and trays. Anything that experiences high heat, however, should get tossed. "To be clear about silicone tools, I wouldn't replace them often but replace them altogether with something else like stainless or enamel bakeware," Fountaine says. "I have been reading that silicone is possibly considered 'safe,' but only up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. There is very limited research on its safety, and other additives to the silicone could potentially leach into food," she says. "Plus It is not biodegradable or recyclable, so not very eco-friendly." Read more: Top 10 Foods Contaminated With Microplastics. Here's How to Avoid Them
