I received a follow-up call from the tx center to explain exactly what happened on the 22nd.
It seems the surgeon who was recovering the organs was completely aghast at the failure of the equipment at the hospital where the recovery was done (the actual malfunction was explained to me in great detail.) so much so that he has petitioned UNOS for a referendum to require all participating hospitals to have the same standard set of tools in each operating room for organ recovery.
I am told that until this measure is passed, Pinnacle doctors will now travel with their own set of surgical instruments to do the recoveries.
So for the silver lining in this cloud of misfortune it is the thought that new standards will be set to ensure this won't happen again. Also, the donor pancreas did not go to waste but rather the islet cells were taken to use in islet cell transplantation and research.
This young donor's organs saved at least six people and gave sight back to two.
How awesome is that?!?!
May God bless their family for this altruism in light of their tragedy.
