Supply of ultrasound gels suspended after bacteria outbreaks in multiple hospitals

NHS Supply Chain has suspended supplies of some ultrasound gels over concerns they might be connected with outbreaks of bacterial infections in multiple hospitals.

Thirty hospitals have reported 46 cases of Burkholderia contaminans between October last year and January 2021. No patients have died but some developed sepsis symptoms.

NHS Supply Chain has suspended supplies of three ultrasound gels as a “precautionary measure” and guidance has been updated on the safe use of gel to reduce the risk of transmission of infection. Existing stocks have not been recalled and NHS Supply Chain is stocking similar products as alternatives.

Public Health England has said its provisional investigation suggests a potential link with ultrasound or ultrasound-guided procedures as many of the infected patients had undergone these before the bacterium was identified.

It is also investigating how many of the patients have spent time in intensive care or high dependency settings.

A related bacteria, called Burkholderia cepacian, was also found in 27 cases.

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Source: HSJ, 4 March 2021