by Brianna Crandall — December 14, 2015—According to an advisory issued by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified a need for increased vigilance for non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections by health departments, healthcare facilities, and individual healthcare providers.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a Safety Communication on Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Infections Associated with Heater-Cooler Devices that addresses issues regarding the proper use and maintenance of these devices.
The CDC has been working with the FDA and local and state health departments to investigate heater-cooler units associated with NTM infections and / or found to be contaminated with NTM.
APIC advises healthcare facilities to immediately assess their use of heater-cooler units and ensure that they are safe and properly maintained. In addition, clinical staff should maintain heightened vigilance for possible NTM infections among patients who have undergone cardiac surgical procedures that involved the use of heater-cooler devices.
Visit the CDC Web site to learn more about the possible association between NTM infections and the use of heater-cooler devices, as well as guidance on identifying patients with infection.
