Penn State Health has chosen to voluntarily pause its liver transplant program at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to 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 has individually notified 63 patients on the waiting list or undergoing evaluation for the waitlist regarding the program’s pause and are proactively working with other liver transplant centers to facilitate a transition of their care. We will continue providing post-transplant care for patients who have already received a liver transplant at Penn State Health. 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. Our kidney, heart, and stem cell and bone marrow transplant programs operate as usual.