An inquest is currently looking into the case of how doctors in an Ohio hospital accidentally transplanted a kidney into the wrong person, forcing the intended recipient to wait for his own life-saving surgery.
The University Hospitals, where the mistake happened, has said two members of staff have been placed on leave following the blunder.
The health facility made a public apology for the error on Monday, saying they plan to launch an investigation into how the organ ended up inside of the wrong person’s body, according to the New York Post.
They said, “We are dismayed that an error recently occurred resulting in one patient receiving a kidney intended for another.”
The person who wrongly received the kidney happened to be compatible with the donated organ and is recovering in a ward.
The other patient, however, who should have received the kidney has had his surgery delayed, the statement added.
The hospital authorities have informed the United Network for Organ Sharing about the mixed-up surgery.
The organization oversees transplants and is reviewing the incident ‘to understand what led to the error and to ensure that such an event will never happen again.’
“We have offered our sincerest apologies to these patients and their families,” the Ohio University Hospitals spokesperson added.
“We recognize they entrusted us with their care. The situation is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to helping patients return to health and live life to the fullest.”
According to records, the hospital system has performed 95 kidney transplants this year and did 194 in 2020, Cleveland.com reported, citing data from the US Department of Health and Human Services Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.
University Hospitals has not said when the patient who is waiting for a kidney transplant will finally undergo their crucial operation.
