Naples – The heart intended for Domenico, the two-year-old boy who received a transplant on December 23 at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples, was transported in a traditional insulated container, without temperature monitoring systems, despite the facility having state-of-the-art boxes.
The decision was apparently driven by a lack of staff training in the use of the most modern equipment. This is what emerges from the investigation by the Naples Prosecutor's Office into the case of the young patient.
Modern box available but unused
According to the investigations, the team responsible for the sampling in Bolzano used an old-fashioned plastic container, lacking probes and displays for internal temperature control.
Transplant guidelines instead recommend the use of technological devices that allow continuous traceability of organ preservation conditions.
Monaldi Hospital is equipped with these advanced systems for organ transport. However, in this specific case, the traditional solution was chosen because the operators were not adequately trained in using the technological box.
Suspicion of transport damage
Investigators are investigating whether the heart was compromised during the transfer. Among the possibilities being examined is the use of dry ice, rather than conventional ice, to preserve the organ during the journey from Bolzano to Naples. This method may have altered the ideal thermal conditions.
Ministry inspectors arriving
To clarify the entire matter, Ministry of Health inspectors will arrive at Monaldi Hospital tomorrow. They will subsequently conduct checks at the Bolzano health facility, where the heart was removed.
The inspection will reconstruct every stage of the organ's journey—from harvesting to transportation to the surgical decision—to ascertain any organizational or procedural responsibilities in the December 23 transplant.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
It's very sad to hear about little Domenico's case. I don't understand how an old case could be used for such an important organ. Modern equipment is available, but it's not being used. It seems strange and worrying to me.