Contaminated ultrasound gel tied to outbreak of healthcare-associated infections

After a 2011 outbreak of P. aeruginosa, investigators at Beaumont Health System near Detroit, Michigan determined contaminated ultrasound gel was the source of bacteria causing the healthcare-associated infection. The findings emphasize the need for increased scrutiny of contaminated medical products. This study is published in the August issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

"Ultrasound is a critical healthcare tool used every day in both diagnostic and interventional procedures," said Paul Chittick, MD, lead author of the study. "Although contaminated gel has been the cause of several documented outbreaks of infection, its potential role as a vehicle for spreading infections to patients is frequently overlooked."

Read more:
Contaminated ultrasound gel tied to outbreak of healthcare-associated infections

Source EurekAlert



Art and Science of Laboratory Medicine

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaboratoryEQAS

Twitter: LaboratoryEQAS