Patient's Transplant Journey Highlights System Flaws

A Phoenix woman's challenging three-year wait for an intestine transplant has brought to light significant issues within the organ allocation system. Katherine Screws, whose small intestine was destroyed in a May 2022 car crash, relied on IV nutrition and faced severe health limitations.

Her initial expectation of a six-month wait was far from accurate. This experience underscores how patients struggle with the complex transplant system, including understanding why organs may not be a match or why waits are prolonged. It is estimated that about one in five donated organs are ultimately not used, often due to delays in finding a suitable recipient.

Research indicates a substantial variation, with some kidney transplant centers being up to 16 times faster than others in performing transplants. This disparity is influenced by factors such as surgeon experience with complex organs or those from older donors. The system faces ongoing reform, with a focus on improving organ retrieval and utilization rates.

Ultimately, Screws sought care at a different hospital across the country, where she received a transplant within weeks. This decision came after realizing the potential for differing acceptance criteria among transplant centers for organs that might be considered less than ideal but still viable.