Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UPMC Stops Transplants Following Mold Outbreak

Dr. Amesh Adalja
/
trackingzebra.com
UPMC has temporarily stop their transplant program following a mold outbreak at UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore

Following a mold outbreak last week that infected four transplant patientsat UPMC Presbyterian and Montefiore, the hospital system has temporarily halted their transplant program. Three of the four patients have since died, although it’s not been confirmed whether the infections were the culprit.  Pittsburgh-based infectious disease expertDr. Amesh Adalja explained to Essential Pittsburgh’s Paul Guggenheimer that mold is particularly difficult to contain because it’s so easy to spread.

“It’s something that is very, very hard to get rid of and is ubiquitous in the environment,” Adalja said. “And it can, in certain instances, get into hospitals.”

The mold found at the UPMC facilities was the fungus’ most common variety, “mucor.”  The material is nearly impossible to detect, according to Adalja, because it can be carried on almost everything.

Adalja believes the hospital took every measure they could, and commends investigators for their quick turnaround.  He says while UMPC’s transplant program is one of the most prominent in the nation, they’re still not immune to outbreaks.

“You have to expect that there’s going to be some mold infections in transplant patients all over the world because of the nature of the procedure that they’re undergoing,” Adalja explained.

Going forward, UPMC can be expected to reevaluate their notification process for outbreaks.  They’ll also be looking at construction materials and sanitization methods used in their facilities.

More Essential Pittsburgh segments can be heard here.

Katie Blackley is a digital editor/producer for 90.5 WESA and 91.3 WYEP, where she writes, edits and generates both web and on-air content for features and daily broadcast. She's the producer and host of our Good Question! series and podcast. She also covers history and the LGBTQ community. kblackley@wesa.fm