Reference no: EM133696801

Question

In July 2021, the Virginia Department of Health reported eight cases of invasive infections caused by Burkholderia stabilis in hospitalized patients at one of the hospitals. The source of the infection was later found to be the non-sterile ultrasound gel used in the hospital. The contaminated product was found to match the bacteria found in patients. The investigation identified a total of 119 Burkholderia stabilis infections across ten states in the US, leading to a national recall of all ultrasound gel products produced by one of the companies. Further investigation revealed that non-sterile ultrasound gel was frequently used during invasive procedures. This practice could lead to the introduction of contaminated ultrasound gel into sterile body sites, resulting in infections. Healthcare practitioners are advised to use only sterile, single-use ultrasound gel for ultrasonography to prevent patient infections.