Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is investigating whether one of its surgeons manipulated the database of transplant candidates to make them ineligible. The hospital discontinued the liver transplant program on April 3 after discovering “irregularities” in donor acceptance criteria.
An investigation found problems with information entered into a database used to match donor organs with patients. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is aware of the allegations and is conducting an investigation, according to a statement from the agency. In recent years, the hospital has seen a growing number of liver transplant candidates die while on the waiting list or become too sick to receive one, data from the Transplant Network for Organ Procurement shows. The New York Times, citing officials, identified him as transplant surgeon Dr. J. Steve Bynon Jr. He neither admitted nor denied altering documents, and he referred questions to UTHealth Houston, which declined to comment. He indicated that he is working with patients and their families to get them care and is in contact with the 38 patients on the transplant list.