Disposal of kidney at University of Toledo Medical Center 'baffling'

TOLEDO, Ohio - A Texas transplant surgeon hired to evaluate the kidney transplant program at the University of Toledo Medical Center says the accidental disposal of a viable kidney by a nurse was a "baffling" act.

But Dr. Marvin Levy wrote in a report that he found no problems with the systems or the culture at the hospital that would have indicated it was at risk for such a mistake.

The Toledo Blade reports that Levy, surgical director for transplantation at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, found that the viable kidney was thrown into the trash Aug. 10 by a nurse who did not standard operating room procedures.

A review conducted by the state cited poor communication and oversight and insufficient policies as factors.