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07/25/2024: Lab Advisory: CDC Issues Alert for Disruptions in Availability of BD BACTEC Blood Culture Media Bottles
Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals
Level: Laboratory Advisory
On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) message about a critical shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC blood culture media bottles. Those affected by this shortage should assess their situation and develop plans and options to mitigate the potential impact on patient care and laboratory testing.
Laboratory utilization experts recommend implementing diagnostic stewardship best practices to improve blood culture ordering and collection practices. Additionally, CDC offers a quality tool to prevent blood culture contamination and improve diagnostic accuracy. Please review the FDA recommendations for the development of prioritization and conservation strategies regarding the use of blood culture media bottles.
For more information, please review the HAN in detail.
We encourage you to share this message widely with your network(s).
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Online Resources
- Disruptions in Availability of Becton Dickinson (BD) BACTEC™ Blood Culture Bottles | HAN | CDC
- Disruptions in Availability of BD BACTEC Blood Culture Media Bottles – Letter to Health Care Providers | FDA
- Preventing Adult Blood Culture Contamination: A Quality Tool for Clinical Laboratory Professionals | CDC
- Blood Culture Contamination: An Overview for Infection Control and Antibiotic Stewardship Programs Working with the Clinical Laboratory | CDC
- Diagnostic Excellence: A New Quality Tool to Prevent Blood Culture Contamination | CDC
- Impending Shortage of Blood Culture Media Bottles from BD Life Sciences | LOCS | CDC
Questions?
- If you are a clinical or public health laboratory professional, contact LOCS.
- For media inquiries, contact the CDC Newsroom.
- For all other questions, contact CDC-INFO.
Thank you,
The Laboratory Outreach Communication System
Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)
Center for Laboratory Systems and Response (CLSR)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)