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Southlake hospital received recalled medication
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
Officials confirmed that Texas Health Methodist Hospital Southlake received two shipments of the epidural steroid injection methylprednisolone acetate, which may be related to a form of meningitis.
In a joint press release with Tarrant County Public Health, hospital officials stated that there have been no confirmed cases of associated fungal infections in Texas. There have, however, been 47 confirmed cases in seven other states, and there have been five deaths associated with it.
Still, there were 114 patients at the Southlake hospital treated with the steroid. Those patients were notified by telephone call and by certified letter about a possible infection, as well as warning signs.
“Our administrators and clinical staff are concerned for the safety of all our patients, and are aware of the potential risks associated with this medication,” the press release stated. “We acted swiftly when the recall notification was issued by the manufacturer and public health officials, and we are doing everything possible to effectively communicate with patients and caregivers about this situation.”
Tarrant County Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services are involved in a multi-state investigation of meningitis in patients who received the steroid.
The hospital has announced it will offer follow-up examinations to the impacted patients free of charge.
Officials state that this form of meningitis is not contagious and is often caused by a fungus.
Symptoms of the infection include fever, new or worsening headache, nausea, or other symptoms consistent with a stroke.
According to the CDC website, meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection frequently with a bacteria or virus, but meningitis can also be caused by less common pathogens such as fungi.
“Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake is proud of the hospital’s record of patient safety and patient satisfaction, and we greatly appreciate the support and assistance of the Tarrant County Public Health Department throughout this process,” the release stated. “We will continue to work closely with local, state and federal authorities to assure that these individuals are closely monitored and receive the proper information, care and attention at this time and in the future.
In a joint press release with Tarrant County Public Health, hospital officials stated that there have been no confirmed cases of associated fungal infections in Texas. There have, however, been 47 confirmed cases in seven other states, and there have been five deaths associated with it.
Still, there were 114 patients at the Southlake hospital treated with the steroid. Those patients were notified by telephone call and by certified letter about a possible infection, as well as warning signs.
“Our administrators and clinical staff are concerned for the safety of all our patients, and are aware of the potential risks associated with this medication,” the press release stated. “We acted swiftly when the recall notification was issued by the manufacturer and public health officials, and we are doing everything possible to effectively communicate with patients and caregivers about this situation.”
Tarrant County Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Texas Department of State Health Services are involved in a multi-state investigation of meningitis in patients who received the steroid.
The hospital has announced it will offer follow-up examinations to the impacted patients free of charge.
Officials state that this form of meningitis is not contagious and is often caused by a fungus.
Symptoms of the infection include fever, new or worsening headache, nausea, or other symptoms consistent with a stroke.
According to the CDC website, meningitis is the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection frequently with a bacteria or virus, but meningitis can also be caused by less common pathogens such as fungi.
“Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake is proud of the hospital’s record of patient safety and patient satisfaction, and we greatly appreciate the support and assistance of the Tarrant County Public Health Department throughout this process,” the release stated. “We will continue to work closely with local, state and federal authorities to assure that these individuals are closely monitored and receive the proper information, care and attention at this time and in the future.
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