Meningitis Outbreak in Tennessee Hospital

October 05, 2012

Meningitis -- many have heard of it, but very few know someone who has contracted the illness. This sickness involves the inflammation of tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord.

However, on September 20, Nashville's Saint Thomas Outpatient Neurosurgery Center was shut down because 11 patients were infected with a rare form of the illness. So far, six people have experienced a deep brain stroke and two individuals have lost their lives from fungal meningitis, which was purportedly contracted at the hospital.

People at risk for this deadly illness usually contract the infection by inhaling fungal spores from the environment. Taking medications that weaken your immune system is one risk factor in developing fungal meningitis.

In this particular case, those infected at the Nashville medical center received lumbar epidural steroid injections, a treatment administered into the lower spine. These injections may be linked to the outbreak; infectious disease experts believe Aspergillus, a common outdoor mold, somehow infected the patients' brains, although they have not been able to definitively establish the cause of the outbreak.

The 11 individuals who contracted the fungal meningitis in Tennessee were administered steroid injections at the Saint Thomas outpatient center between July 30 and September 20. The infected patients ranged in age from their 40s to 80s. All patients who received injections during this time period have been contacted.

Unfortunately, the Nashville hospital was not the only facility that used this potentially dangerous product. Two other facilities in Tennessee purchased the steroid injections. Also, more than a dozen states could have received shipments of the same questionable products. Recently, another case of the rare meningitis disease was identified in North Carolina.

Symptoms and Treatment

In many cases, symptoms of fungal meningitis, which may include fever, headaches, numbness or slurred speech, manifest from seven to 28 days after treatment. Early treatment, which includes antifungals and steroids, is imperative as soon as symptoms appear.

Manufacturer of Steroid Solution Recalls Injection Product

While experts have not officially confirmed that the steroid injections caused the outbreak, this issue is being thoroughly investigated. The manufacturer of the steroid solution has already voluntarily recalled the product and experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have stepped in to assist the investigation.

Generally, patients and physicians depend on representations made by drug manufacturers as to the safety of their drugs. Yet, sometimes things fall through the cracks and companies fail to notify physicians and consumers of serious defects.

Failure of a pharmaceutical manufacturer to inform consumers of any known defects associated with one of its products is grounds for a product liability lawsuit. Such defects include manufacturing issues, design problems or a lack of sufficient warnings. There can be serious complications or issues that result from defective or dangerous drugs, including death, and drug companies are obligated to compensate those harmed by their oversights.

Ultimately, the drug manufacturer should ensure that the consumer receives a safe product. It is the drug company's responsibility to design, test, manufacture and package a product appropriately. In the context of the recent outbreak, if the steroid drug company knowingly or negligently released a defective product, it could be liable to the meningitis victims or their families in the case of death. In other words, if an investigation discovers that harm or death experienced by the patients is linked to a defective drug, the victims could be financially compensated for their harm.

If you or a loved one has suffered from what you believe to be a defective or dangerous drug, you may want to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about your options for legal recovery.

Article provided by Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge
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