The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a letter notifying healthcare providers of a shortage of Becton Dickinson (BD) vials used for the diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infections, suggesting that providers prioritize their use for patients with suspected bloodstream infections.
Last month, BD issued a letter notifying users of intermittent delays over the upcoming months in the availability of BD's Bactec blood culture media vials. The company said that it was experiencing a shortage in the supply of plastic bottles needed for the manufacture of Bactec media. While BD said that it had managed the issue without affecting the available supply, the firm anticipated that "users may begin to experience additional supply constraints and delays in media availability" in the near future.
In the letter, BD detailed the steps the company was taking to mitigate the shortage, as well as making recommendations for users on managing the supply shortage.
In its letter to healthcare providers, the FDA also issued recommendations, instructing users to follow clinical guidelines and ensure proper collection and disinfection protocols are followed to minimize the risk of damage to the bottles, contamination of the blood culture, and any need for collecting additional samples.
The FDA notice especially stressed the need to prioritize the use of the Bactec blood media culture vials for patients showing clinical signs and symptoms of a bloodstream infection, which may result in life-threatening sepsis.
Both BD and the FDA noted in their letters that they would furnish updates on the shortage to healthcare providers and laboratories.
