US Moves to Decertify Organ Procurement Group After Patient Safety Failures

August 6, 2026
By Mintesinot Nigussie

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun the process of removing federal certification from Network for Hope, an organ procurement organisation serving Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, after federal reviews found repeated patient safety failures. The action by HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) follows multiple reviews that found the organisation had failed to address concerns related to donor evaluation, medical assessments and oversight practices despite previous corrective measures.

Network for Hope is responsible for coordinating the recovery of donated organs from deceased donors and transferring them for transplantation. Federal officials said failures identified during reviews could have placed potential donors and patients awaiting transplants at risk. Between 2021 and 2024, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reviewed 351 cases in which organ donation had been authorised but ultimately did not proceed at Network for Hope. The review identified 103 cases with concerning features, including cases involving questionable neurological assessments, consent procedures and classifications of causes of death.

HRSA also raised concerns that some potential donors may not have been deceased at the time organ procurement procedures were initiated. CMS conducted a separate review in May 2026 and concluded that previous quality concerns remained unresolved, including issues involving donor evaluation, adverse event reviews and organisational administration. "Organizations that repeatedly fail to meet federal standards and put patients at risk will be held accountable," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The decertification process follows reforms launched by HHS in 2025 aimed at strengthening oversight of the US organ donation and transplantation system. HRSA previously directed Network for Hope to implement a corrective action plan and placed the organisation under enhanced monitoring. HRSA Administrator Tom Engels said the organisation did not demonstrate sufficient improvement despite federal oversight and corrective efforts. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said the action reflected the agency’s responsibility to ensure organisations participating in federal healthcare programmes meet safety and accountability requirements.

The US government said it has introduced wider reforms to the organ donation system, including stronger patient safety reporting, greater transparency in organ allocation decisions and the appointment of patient safety officers at organ procurement organisations. HHS said the reforms are intended to improve accountability, protect donor families and ensure donated organs have the greatest possible opportunity to save lives.

Source: FSX Business News