A recent congressional hearing has focused attention on patient safety within organ procurement and transplantation. As an organization committed to the highest standards of care, Donor Alliance supports thorough examination of practices across our field. While Donor Alliance was not involved in the cases mentioned in the hearing, we believe addressing any systemic concerns strengthens the entire transplant community and protects the patients we serve.

Donor Alliance has long prioritized excellence in everything we do. Our commitment to quality and continuous improvement predates current regulatory discussions. It is exemplified by our recognition as a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award winner—the nation’s highest presidential honor for organizational performance excellence. This achievement reflects our dedication to the rigorous standards that our life-saving mission demands.

For more than a decade, we have consistently increased organ donations from our region year after year through comprehensive performance improvement initiatives. Our safe and effective processes and those of our partner hospitals throughout Colorado and Wyoming demonstrate what can be achieved when organizations fully embrace continuous improvement.

We support the US Department of Health and Human Services’ emphasis on standardization and reform across the transplant system. The need for consistent, high-quality practices nationwide is clear, and we stand ready to help develop and implement national standards that will benefit patients everywhere.

Our work begins by safely and ethically honoring the donor and donor family and impacts thousands of patients awaiting transplants, both in our community and across the country. This responsibility drives our unwavering commitment to performance excellence and our willingness to collaborate with federal agencies, fellow OPOs, hospitals, and all stakeholders in strengthening our transplant system.

As we move forward, Donor Alliance remains dedicated to maximizing the precious gift of life while maintaining the highest standards of safety and integrity. We will continue to strictly adhere to all federal requirements and welcome initiatives that advance our shared goal of saving more lives through donation and transplantation.

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced plans to reform the organ donation system after a recent investigation.

5,000 people pounded the pavement at the annual event, proudly sponsored by CBS News Colorado, to raise money and awareness about the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

The New York Times recently published an article raising concerns about select organ donation cases around the country. The story describes patient safety incidents and organ recoveries that had to be stopped after patients were not properly declared deceased by hospitals. We are closely monitoring this narrative, as maintaining safety, trust, and transparency in the donation system here in Colorado and Wyoming is our top priority.    

The donation process is complex and involves multiple healthcare professionals, including hospital medical personnel, Donor Alliance staff and transplant surgeons and staff working in tandem. Each team adheres to a strict and specific set of protocols that guide the donation process from start to finish, ensuring patients are appropriate candidates for donation before proceeding. Each person in the operating room understands and follows their distinct responsibilities, and Donor Alliance does not proceed with donation until the hospital team has declared death using strict guidelines and safeguards.  

Depictions of OPOs pressuring hospitals to remove ventilator support or attempting to influence treatment decisions do not reflect the stringent protocols followed by Donor Alliance.  

The US donation and transplantation system is built on public trust and altruism, and we believe that education and transparency around these topics is crucial to preserving that trust in our nation’s system. Donor Alliance remains committed to honoring our donors and their decisions, safeguarding the gifts of these donor heroes, and helping save as many lives as possible. The greatest respect for life drives us – both the lives of patients and the lives of potential transplant recipients.  

Should you have any questions regarding organ donation or Donor Alliance’s practices, please do not hesitate to contact our Director of PR/Communications, Cheryl Talley: ctalley@donoralliance.org.