Bloodstream infection clusters across 3 states may be associated with central lines

Two New Jersey long-term care facility patients contracted Burkholderia cepacia bloodstream infections that may be associated with pre-filled saline flushes made by Nurse Assist, a medical device manufacturer for long-term care facilities based in Fort Worth, Texas, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

On Sept. 30, the New Jersey Department of Health warned all long-term care facilities in the state that received the Nurse Assist product of the possible associated infection risk.

According to Press of Atlantic City, state health officials said, "[S]ince this is a rapidly evolving situation, not all distribution networks have been identified and it is unclear at this time that all the affected products have been identified."

The state departments of health for Pennsylvania and Maryland notified the New Jersey health department about clusters of bloodstream infections in their states' long-term care facility patients, according to Press of Atlantic City. These patients reportedly have histories of intravenously receiving medications via central lines.

The health departments of all three states along with the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other agencies are collaborating on an investigation into the recent bloodstream infection flare ups.

According to the CDC, B. cepacia is bacteria that can be found in soil and water. Though B. cepacia poses little risk to healthy people, individuals with weakened immune systems may be susceptible to severe respiratory infections caused by the bacteria. B. cepacia are often resistant to common antibiotics.

More articles on infection control: 
Rotavirus vaccine helps protect children from disease 
Lower heart rates reduce risk of death among septic shock patients: 4 insights 
Children who receive alternative medicine therapies less likely to get flu shots

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