Mold at Seattle Children's Hospital disabled patient in 2018, lawsuit alleges

Gabrielle Masson -

The family of a teenage patient on Oct. 25 filed a lawsuit against Seattle Children's Hospital, claiming a 2018 infection due to mold found in the hospital disabled their son, according to The Seattle Times. 

In both May and November 2019, the hospital discovered Aspergillus in numerous operating rooms. At least four patients suffered infections due to mold this year, and at least three were sickened in 2018, one of whom died, the hospital has said. Now, a lawsuit alleges a teenage boy contracted meningitis in March 2018 from Aspergillus mold in the hospital.

The lawsuit claims Seattle Children's "failed to take reasonably prudent measures" to prevent the patient from contracting an infection from the mold, according to The Seattle Times. The pediatric hospital closed two operating rooms and a storage room for three days in June 2018 after the mold was detected, The Seattle Times reported.  

In light of the most recent mold discovery, the hospital shut down all operating rooms for at least five days. The hospital plans to sanitize the rooms and the air-handling system that serves the rooms, according to The Seattle Times. An air-handling unit is thought to be the cause of the mold found in May.  

"We are deeply sorry for the impact the air quality issue in our operating rooms has had on our patients and families," Kathryn Mueller, a Seattle Children's spokesperson said, cited by The Seattle Times. "While we will not share details about our patients or comment on specific cases out of respect for privacy, we remain fully committed to working with this family through the legal process and supporting them during what we know is a very difficult time."

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