Delaware Health Alert Network #298
February 28, 2013 8:25 am
Health
Advisory
BLOODSTREAM INFECTION CLUSTER ASSOCIATED WITH SALINE CATHETER FLUSH PRODUCTS
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is issuing this health advisory to provide the healthcare community with information from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health about an ongoing investigation
involving a cluster of Pantoea bloodstream infections associated with a specific lot of saline syringes.
Summary
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working with the Illinois Department of Public health to investigate a cluster of
Pantoea species bloodstream infections related to a single healthcare facility from August 2012 – February 2013, and associated
with a specific lot of saline syringes. Persons with most recent illness developed signs and symptoms of bloodstream infection soon after
receipt of saline solution from pre-packaged 10 cc saline syringes from AMUSA, Nashville, TN 37211 (Lot KH03856).
Background
Pantoea is a gram-negative aerobic bacillus in the family of Enterobacteriaceae. It has been shown to cause bloodstream
infections associated with contaminated transfusion products. Additional information regarding the signs and symptoms of patients with
the Pantoea infections mentioned above is limited. However, these are likely similar to the signs and symptoms of bloodstream
infections from other Enterobacteriaceae.
Recommendations/Reporting
Healthcare facilities and providers who are aware of patients with gram-negative bacteremia within 5 days of receipt of saline solution
from this lot (pre-packaged 10 cc saline syringes from AMUSA, Nashville, TN 37211 LOT KH03856) or other lots of this product manufactured
from August 1, 2012 – February 25, 2013 should contact the Delaware Division of Public Health, Bureau of Epidemiology (24/7) at
1-888-295-5156.
Additional Information
- Preventing healthcare-associated infections: http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/prevent/prevention.html
- Information on healthcare-associated infections in Delaware: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/epi/haihomepage.html
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