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Phoebe doesn't have contaminated medication
Posted: 10.24.2012 at 3:57 PM
Jessica Fairley

Jessica Fairley is a reporter with FOX 31 News

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Phoebe Putney says they have not received any of the tainted medications.  / Jessica Fairley
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ALBANY, GA --

The Food and Drug Administration published a list of places across the United States that received products associated with the deadly meningitis outbreak and southwest Georgia has a connection.

In the state of Georgia 98 facilities received medication from the New England Compounding Center (NECC).

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital is among the listed. The hospital received 3 different medications since May 21st.

“One was a hormone injection which is used in women who are in premature labor. There is a dye that is used to map out lymph nodes for cancer surgery patients and the third is a drug which is used by ophthalmologist to assist in producing an anesthetic block around the eye,” says Douglas Patten, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs for Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Although these medications have not been associated with the fungal meningitis outbreak, officials want to keep patients informed about their connection to the compounding site. 

“We’ve identified all those patients. We've identified the physicians who are responsible for those patients. We've contacted all the physicians personally and so far none of the physicians who are caring for these patients have noted any problems,” says Douglas Patten.

As an extra precaution, Phoebe officials plan to also alert patients through the mail.

“They are being advised to let them know that there is nothing to be afraid of because there is no link to any infections,” says Douglas Patten.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 54 people across the nation have been diagnosed with fungal meningitis. Medical professionals say officials are following up with others who may have injected the medication.

“Every patient that was injected with the steroid, the physician or facility is following up with them to make sure they have no signs and symptoms. They're going to get them tested and they're going to get them on the correct medication,” says Jackie Jenkins, Southwest Georgia Public Health Epidemiologist.

To find more information about the fungal meningitis outbreak follow the link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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