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"Alabama -- Nine Dead In Bacterial Outbreak"
Authorities in Alabama have reported that they are investigating an
outbreak of Serratia marcescens bacteremia. This is a bacterial
infection of the blood. It has so far been detected in 19 patients at
six different hospitals in Alabama.
All of those infected have been treated with total parenteral
nutrition (TPN) which is an injected solution with nutritional values.
Dr. Jim McVay, a senior official with the Alabama Department of Public
Health said: “Of the 19 that received the substance, nine of those are
no longer living … These were very fragile individuals and it’s not
clear whether the bacteria contributed to their deaths,”
He added: “Authorities identified bacteria first in the patients and
then ran cultures on the TPN.”
An official statement for the department read: “TPN is liquid
nutrition fed through an IV using a catheter. Use of contaminated
products may lead to bacterial infection of the blood.”
A pharmacy that dispensed the medicine has been investigated. A
voluntary recall has been issued.
The affected hospitals are Baptist Princeton, Baptist Shelby, Baptist
Prattville, Medical West, Cooper Green Mercy and Select Specialty
Hospital in Birmingham.
[Posted by rupertc on Mar 30th, 2011 and filed under Health &
Wellness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS
2.0.]
http://nexadviser.com/2011/alabama-nine-dead-in-bacterial-outbreak/224743/
.