Organ Procurement Organization CEO Grilled on Whistleblower Retaliation and Patient Safety

Handling of Index Case and Policy Adherence

• ❓ Chairman Joyce questioned Network for Hope CEO Barry Massa regarding the handling of an index case from a HERSA report and whether all relevant policies, regulations, statutes, and rules were followed.
• ⚠️ Massa acknowledged the complexity of the case, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and admitted that communication could have been vastly improved.
• ✅ Despite communication issues, Massa maintained that the DCD process was followed.

Patient Safety and Stricter Standards

• 🏥 In light of the patient's suffering in the index case, Joyce asked if stricter standards are needed to prevent similar horrific pain and ensure patient safety.
• 🤝 Massa stated that they will follow HERSA's recommendations and are glad for increased oversight to restore public trust.

Allegations of Retaliation Against Whistleblower

• 🗣️ Joyce inquired if Massa or his organization played a role in retaliating against the whistleblower in the index case, referencing a HERSA report that suggested the individual was fired from another job after outreach from KOD.
• 🚫 Massa firmly denied any retaliation, stating it would not be tolerated within Network for Hope and welcomed a review of the facts.
• 🔍 Massa confirmed he has investigated potential retaliation against whistleblowers and found no retaliation in this specific case.

OPTN's Response to Patient Safety Concerns

• 🧐 Dr. Micah addressed allegations that the OPTN dismisses serious patient safety risks, citing the index case where organ harvesting was nearly performed on a patient who was later discharged alive.
• 💡 In retrospect, Dr. Micah stated that if they had known about the case sooner, they would have asked for a deeper investigation.
• 🤝 The need for HERSA to direct the OPTN to reopen an investigation and issue a corrective action plan was attributed to the collaborative nature between OPTN and HERSA.

Improving Trust and Communication

• 📉 Dr. Micah acknowledged that trust has been fractured due to communication issues but believes it is improving as the OPTN transitions to multiple contractors.
• 🎯 Both sides of the aisle on the committee agree that communication and collaboration need to improve to ensure patient safety guides transplant decisions.