Toledo hospital resumes kidney transplants after mistake

TOLEDO, Ohio - A Toledo hospital where a viable kidney was accidentally thrown in the trash is resuming kidney transplants.

Live kidney transplants at the University of Toledo Medical Center had been halted after the Aug. 10 incident so procedures could be reviewed. Hospital spokesman Jon Strunk said Tuesday the hospital has lifted its voluntary suspension of the program. He said he didn't know when the surgeries would resume, but it's likely to be in the next couple weeks.

A report said the nurse who removed the viable kidney from the operating room and threw it out during the aborted transplant did not follow standard procedures.

Another report conducted by the state for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said poor oversight and communication, and insufficient policies were factors.