close

UPMC temporarily halts transplants due to mold problem

1 min read

PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania medical system said it is shutting down a Pittsburgh hospital’s transplant program because of a mold problem that may have contributed to the deaths of three transplant patients.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center said Monday that after consulting with the nonprofit that manages the nation’s transplant system, it was “voluntarily and temporarily” suspending all organ transplant operations at UMPC-Presbyterian.

UPMC said a fourth patient discovered to have a fungal situation is in guarded condition.

Officials said they are working with state and federal health officials and fungal specialists, and a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be in Pittsburgh today.

Officials said only those with severely compromised immune systems are endangered by the mold, which is common in the environment.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $3.75/week.

Subscribe Today