Oct 2, 2012

Archived: MDH Release Final Analysis Of St. Cloud Hospital Blood Outbreak

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released their final analysis of a blood infection outbreak in the St. Cloud Hospital. The outbreak occurred in February 2011 and was connected to a health care worker diverting narcotics from IV bags. The St. Cloud Hospital informed the MDH in March of 2011 that a health care worker had admitted to diverting narcotics.

The MDH identified 25 patients at the St. Cloud Hospital that had unusual bacteria in their blood. The patients were all in the same post-surgery ward of the hospital and received IV-pain-killing narcotics. According to MDH, one of the patients died within two days of being infected, three had unplanned surgeries, and six required intensive care.

In coalition with the Minnesota Hospital Association the MDH have outlined a number of resources for health care facilities to use to better their prevention programs of drug diversions.

Thank You Underwriters

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