LOS ANGELES
UCLA says seven people were infected and nearly 200 exposed to a potentially deadly, drug-resistant “superbug” on contaminated medical instruments — and the bacteria may have contributed to two deaths.
Other outbreaks caused by CRE bacteria have been reported in hospitals around the country. Some of the bacteria are resistant to most antibiotics, and experts say they can contribute to death in up to half of those infected.
UCLA said Wednesday that a total of 179 patients may have been infected during endoscopic procedures at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center between October and January.
Patients are being sent home-testing kits.
UCLA says the patients were examined with endoscopes that were sterilized according to manufacturers’ directions. But two devices were infected with CRE anyway. Spokeswoman Dale Tate says those devices have been removed and decontamination procedures upgraded.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less