Â鶹ŮÓÅ

A shake-up of the nation's kidney transplant system means more organs are getting to patients once thought nearly impossible to match, according to early tracking of the new rules. It's been a year since the United Network for Organ Sharing changed rules for the transplant waiting list, aiming to decrease disparities and squeeze the most benefit from a scarce resource: kidneys from deceased donors. Now data from UNOS shows that the changes are helping certain patients, including giving those expected to live the longest a better shot at the fittest kidneys. (Neergaard, 12/20)

UCSF’s suspension of its living donor program for kidney transplants this week after the death of a donor highlights a rare but potential complication for a procedure that’s typically an altruistic gift by a friend or family member to a kidney patient in need. The donor, who died last month, had provided a kidney to a recipient at UCSF Medical Center in October. Hospital and regulatory officials are investigating the cause of death. (Colliver, 12/19)