IV infections examined after 9 hospital deaths

(even though this problem has been covered on national news, like in the article below, I think that the coverage will now be covered only in regional local news . . . it is my gut suspicion that these IV bags are infected in order to take care of very sick people who wind up in Intensive Care who are draining wasted dollars from our precious economy (sic) . . .

fwiw, my Dad died from a blood infection in Feb 2011 . . . he was in a very weakened state already, no way to really fight it . . . probably a coincidence . . .)

Bacterial infections linked to IV feeding bags could have begun two months before officials realized it was a widespread problem

March 30, 2011
(CBS/AP)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - An investigation found infections linked to contaminated intravenous feeding bags could have begun two months before officials realized there was a widespread problem at Alabama hospitals, the head of the state health agency said Wednesday.

Nine people died and 10 others were sickened this month after receiving nourishment from the kits. But because all the patients were already seriously ill, investigators may not ever be able to determine whether the IV feeding liquid contaminated with bacteria was to blame for the deaths and illnesses, said Dr. Donald Williamson, director of the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Williamson said two hospitals reported increased cases of bacteria called serratia marcescens to the state March 16. CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann reports it is a part of a class of five deadly bacteria wreaking havoc in hospitals across the country, now responsible for 60 percent of all intensive-care infections. One in 20 patients develop these infections. In 2009, it's estimated 50,000 people died from them.

Full story HERE