Three of 14 surgical patients diagnosed with a rare mycobacterial infection at Greenville (S.C.) Health System have died and another surgical patient has been diagnosed, bringing the total number of patients diagnosed to 15, according to a WYFF 4 report.
The health system announced June 23 that the unusual infection was found in 14 surgical patients. According to Bill Kelly, MD, hospital epidemiologist at Greenville Health System, the organization believes the infection is related to a piece of equipment which was removed from use. Already sick patients who undergo surgical procedures tend to be more susceptible to infection caused by mycobacteria, according to a news release.
Robert Mobley Jr., MD, medical director of quality at the health system, told WYFF 4 that the patients who died had significant underlying medical conditions and the infection could have been a contributing factor to the deaths.
"We regret that any patient within our care could possibly be affected by this situation,” said Dr. Mobley, according to the repot. "Our thoughts are with those involved. Our on-going priority will be to monitor these and other patients for continued safe and effective care."
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