UMC kidney transplant program recertified

By Jinae West

Published Monday, June 1, 2009 | 11:35 a.m.

Updated Monday, June 1, 2009 | 12:40 p.m.

University Medical Center announced today the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has recertified its kidney transplant program.

Recertification is based on the hospital's clinical experience and investment in the transplant program, which is the only one in the state. UMC was certified May 19 for the next three years, hospital officials said.

Last year, the program almost lost its Medicare funding due to a higher than expected number of deaths. Losing that funding would have forced the transplant program to close.

The program recently suffered the loss of another patient, but Medicare determined the patient’s death was not related to the transplant, UMC officials said.

Fina Wardle, UMC's director of Medical Surgical Services, called the renewal "an incredible accomplishment."

"With this recertification, UMC can continue providing our patients with the finest transplant care," Wardle said in a statement.

"We have made many positive additions to our transplant center and we're proud of where it is today. We have a highly accomplished transplant staff and a phenomenal team in place serving as Nevada's only transplant center," hospital CEO Kathy Silver said.

Karen Watnem, transplant manager and administrator at UMC, said the program is vital to the hospital and to the community. She said UMC can now continue to provide necessary care for its patient population.

"To send these people out of state (for a kidney transplant) would be a horrible atrocity," Watnem said. "So we're just thrilled and delighted to continue to provide this service to our patients."

About 200 people are on the waiting list in Nevada for a kidney transplant. UMC will perform about 60 kidney transplants this year, the hospital said.