CDC advisory addresses shortage of blood culture bottles

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory on July 23 regarding a critical shortage of Becton Dickinson BACTEC^TM blood culture media bottles.

The advisory lists several recommendations for healthcare providers and laboratory professionals, chiefly to implement practices (PDF - 774 KB) to optimize the use of blood cultures at your facility and to take steps to prevent blood culture contamination. In addition, you may report any potential shortages or interruptions in your facility’s supply to the Food and Drug Administration at deviceshortages@fda.hhs.gov.