Federal Officials Move to Revoke Organ Procurement Organization’s Accreditation After Patient Safety Probe

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has initiated decertification proceedings against Network for Hope, the organ procurement organization designated to serve Kentucky and portions of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, following a comprehensive federal investigation that identified critical patient safety violations. The action stems from discoveries made during federal reviews of the nonprofit’s operations, which revealed persistent failures in how the organization managed organ donation cases.

Between 2021 and 2024, investigators from HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration examined 351 cases where organ donation had been authorized but not completed. The review identified 103 cases exhibiting troubling patterns, with 73 patients found to have what federal authorities characterized as neurological indicators incompatible with organ procurement procedures.

The investigation documented instances in which organ harvesting procedures commenced while patients retained active signs of life and neurological function. Regulators also determined that Network for Hope applied pressure on medical personnel to continue with procurement despite these clinical findings, according to federal officials familiar with the probe.

Beyond the immediate safety concerns, investigators found evidence of inadequate neurological evaluations, deficient communication between procurement teams and hospital personnel, questionable consent documentation and improper death classifications. Network for Hope’s chief executive officer stated the organization intends to challenge the federal decision and maintains full compliance with applicable policies.