Investigators into infections caused by contaminated intravenous feeding bags at six different Alabama hospitals which resulted in nine deaths in March have announced they found the same bacteria present in the bags at the pharmacy which prepared the bags, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Public health.
The investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified total parenteral nutrition (TPN) produced by pharmacy Meds IV of Birmingham, Ala., as a potential common source of the Serratia marcescens bacteremia and has determined the Alabama hospitals received TPN from Meds IV, according to the release.
Illness with bacteremia occurred in approximately 35 percent of patients receiving the TPN — liquid nutrition fed through an IV using a catheter — from Meds IV.
Meds IV has recalled all of its IV compounded products.
Read the Alabama Department of Public health news release about the Alabama infection outbreak (pdf).
Read additional coverage of the investigation from CNN.
Read more about national infection issues:
- FDA Under Fire From Senators Over Failed Action Concerning Contaminated Medical Wipes
- Johns Hopkins Study: Electronic Faucets Unsafe for Use in Hospital Setting
- Florida's All Children's Hospital Contacts Patients After Employee Dies From Infection
