Press Releases: Northern California
May 12, 2006
Kaiser Permanente Announces Transfer of Patients in Kidney Transplant Program
OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente, acting in the best interest of its patients and in cooperation with the state Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), announced today the transfer of patients in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Kidney Transplant Program to UC San Francisco and UC Davis. Kaiser Permanente has taken this action voluntarily, with the support of the two UC hospitals and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to ensure a seamless transition of patients’ care.
Mary Ann Thode, president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Northern California said:
“We have voluntarily decided to initiate the transition of all patients on the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco kidney transplant program list to the UCSF or UC Davis lists, and we will continue with our review process. We have undertaken this action today with the best interests of our patients and their families in mind.”
She added: “At Kaiser Permanente, we care deeply about our patients, and we understand that there has been a great deal of concern and confusion on the part of our patients and their families regarding the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco kidney transplant program. We want to assure our patients and their families that their well being is our top concern. That is why we are taking this action today, in partnership with the Department of Managed Health Care.”
Until the transition is completed, Kaiser Permanente will continue to be able to transplant any patient on its list for whom a kidney becomes available.
Mark Laret, CEO of the UC San Francisco Medical Center, said, “We are eager to help the patients and we will do whatever we can to work with Kaiser Permanente during this transition.”
Bill McGowan, acting CEO of the UC Davis Medical Center said, “UC Davis successfully partnered with Kaiser Permanente from 1997-2004 to provide kidney transplant care, and we welcome the opportunity to offer that service again. We will work with Kaiser Permanente to streamline the patient transfer process.”
Thode explained that Kaiser Permanente will manage the transition of patient care and their accrued time “with the utmost respect.” All transplant services provided at these institutions will be a covered benefit for Kaiser Permanente patients.
“UNOS will support in every way all efforts to ensure patient safety,” according to Walter Graham, executive director United Network for Organ Sharing.
The more than 50 dedicated nephrologists at Kaiser Permanente Northern California will continue to provide ongoing care to patients in order to maintain the critical link in the physician-patient relationship.
Kaiser Permanente will continue to share additional information on this transition process as appropriate in the days to come.
Kaiser Permanente has established a toll free number for patients to call for more information, effective as of 5 p.m. today. That number is 800-390-3508.
About Kaiser PermanenteKaiser Permanente, founded in 1945, is a non-profit integrated health care organization, with physicians, nurses and staff working in collaboration to provide high quality care to patients and address the health care needs of communities served by the organization. The Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region serves almost 3.3 million members. It includes 6,000 physicians in The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG) and about 54,000 employees. The region has 19 major medical centers. Each year, Kaiser Permanente donates about $300 million to a variety of community programs and agencies in Northern California.
