Nine patients have died and another 10 were treated for infections caused by contaminated intravenous feeding bags at six different Alabama hospitals, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.
The outbreak is under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alabama Department of Public Health, according to a ADPH news release.
Hospitals where the serratia marcescens bacteria outbreak occurred include Baptist Princeton Medical Center, Cooper Green Mercy Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital, all in Birmingham, Ala.; Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster; Medical West Hospital in Bessemer; and Prattville (Ala.) Baptist Hospital.
The maker of the bags, Birmingham-based Meds IV, has recalled them, and state and federal regulators are investigating the contamination, according to the Bloomberg Businessweek report.
Read the Bloomberg Businessweek report on the Alabama infection outbreak.
Read the ADPH news release about the Alabama hospital deaths (pdf).
Read more coverage on infection:
- Florida's All Children's Hospital Contacts Patients After Employee Dies From Infection
- Washington Hospital Association Data Indicates Some Hospitals Still Struggle With Infection Control
- Disinfectant Surface Wipes: Effective or Simply Convenient?
