Syringes May Be Causing Blood Infections, Officials Say

Maryland's health officials have issued a warning to hospitals, healthcare providers and others against the use a particular brand of syringes that may be causing a bacterial blood infection.

The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in a statement, suggested the immediate discontinuation and isolation of Nurse Assist pre-filled saline flush syringes of 3, 5 and 10 milliliter capacity until further notice.  The warning came after 11 cases of Burkholderia cepacia bloodstream infections were reported in Maryland. The officials believe that there is a possible link between the syringes and blood infections.

Burkholderia cepacia may not pose any serious threat to a healthy person but can cause major health issues if a person with weakened immune system or chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis is infected, according to Cosumnes Connection. This group of bacteria is often resistant to common antibiotics and does not cause any major symptoms.

The New Jersey Department of Health had been intimidated last week by the Pennsylvania and Maryland Departments of Health about the presence of clusters of blood infections in patients who had been in the healthcare facilities since a long time and who had histories of receiving medications through central lines.

The investigations are still being carried out. The department has reported two cases from New Jersey as well that are associated with this outbreak. Both these patients had cystic fibrosis, had undergone a lung transplant surgery and both were quite sick. No death has been reported yet.

On Tuesday, Nurse Assist Inc. based in Texas informed the health officials from various states that it would voluntarily call back saline flush syringes since they might be causing blood infections, according to CBS Baltimore.

A statement from state health department said that though all healthcare providers known to use syringes of the above mentioned brand have been notified, there is a possibility of other facilities that may not have been reached.

The state health agency is not teaming up with the U.S Food and Drug Association, Centers for Disease Control and other states in response to the outbreak of this blood infection. Details of the infected people in Maryland have not been released by the officials.