HERSHEY, Pa. — Penn State Health announced on Monday that it has chosen to voluntarily pause its liver transplant program at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, so that the facility can undergo a performance review with representatives from UNOS (The United Network for Organ Sharing).
Since reactivating its liver transplant program approximately one year ago, Penn State Health has been routinely submitting clinical performance data and other information to UNOS to monitor the program’s progress. The decision to inactivate comes after concerns about clinical processes and documentation were identified, Penn State Health said in a press release.
Penn State Health said its representatives have individually notified 63 patients on the waiting list or undergoing evaluation for the waitlist regarding the program’s pause.
Penn State Health is "proactively working with other liver transplant centers to facilitate a transition of their care," the organization said.
"We will continue providing post-transplant care for patients who have already received a liver transplant at Penn State Health," the organization said. "Our health system will continue working with UNOS to ensure that our liver transplant program meets the patients’ needs as effectively and safely as possible."
The voluntary pause of the liver transplant program does not affect other Penn State Health transplant programs. The facility's kidney, heart, and stem cell and bone marrow transplant programs operate as usual, Penn State Health said.
