Abstract
We describe an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory tract infections related to intrinsically contaminated ultrasound gel used for intraoperative transesophageal echocardiograms in cardiovascular surgery patients. This investigation led to a product safety alert by the Food and Drug Administration and the development of guidelines for appropriate use of ultrasound gel.
MeSH terms
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Disease Outbreaks*
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Echocardiography, Transesophageal / adverse effects
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Gels / adverse effects*
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Heart Valve Diseases / surgery
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Humans
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Intraoperative Care / adverse effects
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Length of Stay
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Operative Time
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Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
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Postoperative Complications / microbiology
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Pseudomonas Infections / epidemiology*
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Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa*
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Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
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Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology