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UPMC Reaching Out To Patients After Employee Confirmed To Have TB

Keith Srakocic
/
AP Photo

A UPMC employee who has tuberculosis is currently on leave and the hospital is reaching out to patients.

Officials confirmed in a statement that the employee contracted TB. That person works in the UPMC Presbyterian Emergency Department and was also seen at a Presby ophthalmology clinic, as well as at a doctor’s office at Magee-Women’s Hospital, they said.

While UPMC chief quality officer Tami Minnier said the likelihood of someone contracting TB from the employee is low, the hospital is working with the Allegheny County Health Department to notify people and offer free testing to those who may have been exposed.

“The employee is on leave and recovering at home,” Minnier said in a written statement. “We have been directly contacting all patients and staff who may have had contact with the employee during the time the employee may have been infectious, both while at work and as a patient in our facilities.”

UPMC also has a hotline for those who have questions, at 1-844-516-1177.