Two thousand patients waiting for kidney transplants will take months longer than originally expected to transfer out of Kaiser Permanente's troubled kidney transplant unit in San Francisco. The unit shut down in May, and the patients were supposed to be transferred to new centers by now, but the state's Department of Managed Care says it could take until the end of the year. Only 231 patients have been transferred, and many patients aren't sure of their status. Patients are understandably anxious: When you're waiting for a new kidney, you want to know who's supposed to call you if one comes in--and you want to be sure they know. This story in the Los Angeles Times says the department also expects to levy record-breaking fines against Kaiser for the mismanagement of the transplant unit. Meanwhile, a related Times story says CMS is sending warning letters to 35 other underperforming transplant centers.
For details on Kaiser's transplant troubles:
- read this article