UPMC Presbyterian hospital in Pittsburgh has shut down its cardiothoracic intensive care unit after mold was discovered on a patient's external wound, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.
The mold was discovered Sept. 3 by a critical care medicine physician. More mold was discovered after further investigation and opening up a wall.
By Sept. 8, the ICU was closed and 18 patients were moved to other parts of the hospital. Only the first patient was directly associated with the mold, according to the Post-Gazette.
Infection prevention, facilities and housekeeping professionals from UPMC Presbyterian are working to clean up the mold, as are mold cleanup experts from outside UPMC.
The shutdown has not canceled any surgeries, and the hospital is looking into upgrading the ICU before reopening the unit.