Improving Clinical Governance of Kidney Transplantation: Review of a Ruling and of the Clinical Governance Process in the United Kingdom

The presentation of adverse events and negative outcomes is uncommon in scientific publications, particularly in a highly regulated and scrutinized practice such as solid organ transplantation. A ruling of a regulatory body of the pharmaceutical industry in the United Kingdom generates several considerations, in particular, regarding the governance process of kidney transplantation, as the events reported in the ruling are linked with high rejection rates and negative patient outcomes. This analysis offered a review of the current governance processes, while recognizing the relevant limitations of the system regulating kidney transplantation outcomes in the United Kingdom. The article identified some of the potential interventions that may contribute to delivering an improved governance, harmonizing contemporary practice, modern health care system, and establishing scientific knowledge.