We have written several posts on the kidney transplant that led to an organ recipient developing hepatitis C. The donor was is the man’s significant other and mother of their 18-year-old son. She did not know that she had the disease at the time of the surgery. This is despite several blood tests having been completed to check for various diseases including hepatitis C prior to the surgery. It is unclear how the results were missed. The surgery was performed at UPMC.

After learning of the situation UPMC took steps to address the matter. A surgeon was demoted and a nurse suspended. In addition, the hospital suspended its kidney transplant and live-donor liver programs voluntarily. They have since been reinstated. Both the donor and the recipient filed lawsuits against various members of the UPMC transplant program.

This week the United Network for Organ Sharing placed the hospital on probation. The duration may last for up to a year. The probation will allow UNOS to monitor UPMC as it continues with the action plan it has implemented. UPMC has added five additional steps to prevent organ recipients from contracting diseases from a donor in the future. During the probation period transplants will still be conducted.

Most people assume that when they decide to put their lives into the hands of medical providers, the necessary steps will be taken to make sure they are well taken care of. Hopefully with the UPMC’s implementation of its new program, this will be true.

The donor and recipient’s medical malpractice lawsuits are still pending. We will provide updates on them as they become available.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, “UPMC organ transplant program placed on probation,” Andrew Conte, Nov. 15, 2011