Notes from the Field: Fungal Bloodstream Infections Associated with a Compounded Intravenous Medication at an Outpatient Oncology Clinic - New York City, 2016

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Nov 18;65(45):1274-1275. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6545a6.

Abstract

On May 24, 2016, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene notified CDC of two cases of Exophiala dermatitidis bloodstream infections among patients with malignancies who had received care from a single physician at an outpatient oncology facility (clinic A). Review of January 1-May 31, 2016 microbiology records identified E. dermatitidis bloodstream infections in two additional patients who also had received care at clinic A. All four patients had implanted vascular access ports and had received intravenous (IV) medications, including a compounded IV flush solution containing saline, heparin, vancomycin, and ceftazidime, compounded and administered at clinic A.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Cancer Care Facilities
  • Cross Infection / etiology*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Contamination*
  • Fungemia / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous / adverse effects*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • New York City