Pseudomonas bloodstream infections associated with a heparin/saline flush--Missouri, New York, Texas, and Michigan, 2004-2005.
On January 26, 2005, CDC was notified of four cases of Pseudomonas fluorescens bloodstream infection among patients at an oncology clinic in Missouri. All patients had received a heparin/saline flush to prevent clotting of indwelling, central venous catheters. The flushes were preloaded in syringes by IV Flush and distributed by Pinnacle Medical Supply (Rowlett, Texas). On January 31, a nationwide alert against use of all heparin or saline flushes preloaded in syringes by IV Flush was issued by the Food and Drug Administration; the company recalled these products. As of February 15, state and local health departments and CDC had identified a total of 36 Pseudomonas species infections in patients in four states who were administered the heparin/saline flushes from multiple lots. This report describes the ongoing investigation and provides recommendations for investigation and management of potential cases.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D009518:New York / Q000453:epidemiology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011551:Pseudomonas fluorescens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013594:Syringes / Q000382:microbiology; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006493:Heparin