Health bosses warn hospital staff over ultrasound gel after patients fall ill in contamination outbreak
- Firm link is identified between outbreaks of a bug and non-sterile ultrasound gel
- Burkholderia cepacia can cause respiratory infections in vulnerable patients
- Symptoms of the bug include having a fever, cough, congestion and wheezing
- UK Health Security Agency says it has recorded 144 cases of the bug since 2010
Health bosses have warned hospital staff over ultrasound gel after patients have fallen seriously ill from contaminated products.
A new Patient Safety Alert has been sent to NHS hospitals by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stating a firm link has been identified between outbreaks of a bug and the use of non-sterile ultrasound gel.
The bug, Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia), is a group of bacteria found in soil and water.
It can cause serious respiratory infections in patients who are vulnerable to illness, with symptoms including a fever, cough, congestion, shortness of breath and wheezing.
UKHSA has recorded 144 cases of the bug since 2010 linked to ultrasound gel.
The body told hospitals that, to date, cases have ‘spanned a wide age range’ and were ‘predominantly hospitalised patients in England’.
A stock picture of a female doctor carrying out an ultrasound on a pregnant woman. A new Patient Safety Alert was sent to NHS hospitals by the UK Health Security Agency today
This has also included patients ‘cared for in critical care settings’.
The warning said: ‘The nature of samples and available information indicated that there were a range of clinical presentations, including some cases with serious illness.
‘Although we are not aware of deaths attributed to B. cepacia infection in this outbreak, it is possible that it may have been a contributory factor for some patients.’
The bug was recovered from multiple samples of a single brand of ultrasound gel used by NHS trusts across the UK.
It has now been removed from central NHS stocks.
In the alert, UKHSA added that hospitals must ensure only sterile ultrasound gel in single-use containers is used for many procedures.
These include invasive procedures, ultrasound within 24 hours of an invasive procedure and during childbirth where a Caesarean may be needed or the baby may need an instrumental delivery.
Sterile gel must also be used for severely immunocompromised patients and all procedures in high-dependency or intensive care settings, including neonatal intensive care units.
In the event a non-sterile gel is used, it must be from a pre-filled disposable bottle or single-use sachet.
Hospitals have also been told they must stop using large containers of ultrasound gel intended for decanting and dispose of any containers still in use.
Dr James Elston, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: ‘A UKHSA investigation has previously linked contaminated ultrasound gel to cases of Burkholderia cepacia in hospital patients.
‘In order to prevent further cases of this infection, we are reminding healthcare professionals to follow guidelines on the safe use of ultrasound gel.’
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