Penn State Health has voluntarily suspended its liver transplant program at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The pause is to allow for a performance review by representatives from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). This decision follows the identification of concerns about clinical processes and documentation
This is the second time in two years that the program has been put on hold. The hospital was previously sanctioned in 2022 due to reports of surgical complications and a failure by staff to inform patients of potential post-surgery issues. The program was reactivated about a year ago, with Penn State Health routinely submitting clinical performance data and other information to UNOS to monitor the program's progress.
The suspension will affect 63 patients who are either on the waiting list or undergoing evaluation for the waitlist. Penn State Health is working with other liver transplant centers to facilitate a transition of their care. The health system will continue providing post-transplant care for patients who have already received a liver transplant at Penn State Health.
The pause does not affect other Penn State Health transplant programs, including kidney, heart, stem cell, and bone marrow transplants.
Source: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/care-coordination/penn-state-health-flagship-hospital-to-temporarily-pause-liver-transplant-program.html