TDH Update on Outbreak of Infections Associated with Recalled Methylprednisolone Acetate-October 14, 2012

NASHVILLE – As of 1 p.m. Central time Oct. 14, 2012, the Tennessee Department of Health is aware of 53 patients with meningitis, epidural abscess or posterior stroke associated with epidural steroid injections provided at these three facilities:  PCA Pain Center in Oak Ridge, Saint Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center in Nashville and the Specialty Surgery Center in Crossville. The number of confirmed deaths in this situation in Tennessee remains at six.

Individuals who have had an epidural steroid injection at one of these facilities provided between July 1 and Sept. 28, 2012 should contact their health care provider for an assessment. Tennesseans wanting to ask questions about the outbreak may contact the Tennessee Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. 

TDH has confirmed that an additional lot of methylprednisolone acetate shipped to Tennessee in early June and used for treatment of patients was not one of the recalled lots of material from New England Compounding Center.

Separately, the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy has called a meeting for Monday, October 15, 2012 at 11 a.m. Central time. The meeting will be held at Heritage Place, 227 French Landing in Nashville in the Poplar Room. The meeting notice may be viewed online at https://apps.tn.gov/pmn/sitemap/notice/1546.html.