Pittsburgh-based UPMC resumed the transplant program at its Presbyterian and Montefiore hospitals on Sunday after voluntarily shutting down its organ transplant program last week when it linked a mold problem to four patients who developed infections, three of whom died.
The decision to lift the voluntary suspension was made following an extensive review of procedures and treatments conducted by internal health officials as well as external parties, including the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health.
"We are grateful for the careful scrutiny, review and for the expertise and support of our colleagues," said Steven D. Shapiro, MD, chief medical and science officer at UPMC, in a news release. "We have patients being transferred now from southern and central Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Virginia for life-saving organ transplants to be performed at UPMC."
No additional details were provided in the news release, but The Pittsburgh-Gazette reports Dr. Shapiro is expected to provide more information Monday regarding the mold contamination problem and UPMC's action plan to prevent further infections and protect patients.
The report also notes the following organizations will be monitoring UPMC's follow-up actions: The Health Resources and Services Administration, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, the United Network for Organ Sharing and a division within CMS.
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