A federal investigation found a Kentucky nonprofit pushed hospital workers toward surgery despite signs of revival in patients. Officials in charge of coordinating organ donations in Kentucky ignored signs of growing alertness in dozens of other potential donors. The investigation examined about 350 cases in Kentucky over the past four years in which plans to remove organs were ultimately canceled. In 73 instances, officials should have considered stopping sooner because the patients had high or improving levels of consciousness. Although the surgeries didn't happen, multiple patients showed signs of pain or distress while being readied for the procedure. The report criticized Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, which was coordinating donations in the state. Now called Network for Hope after a merger, it has said it always follows the rules and never removes organs until a hospital has declared a patient dead.

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