CDC issues advisory on critical shortage of blood culture bottles 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an advisory alerting health care providers, laboratory professionals and others in health care settings of a critical shortage of Becton Dickinson BACTEC blood culture bottles. The shortage could lead to significant disruptions in patient care, including diagnosis delays or make the management of patients with infectious diseases more difficult, according to CDC. The agency is recommending laboratory professionals and clinical leaders in health care facilities that are affected implement plans for conserving available supply and develop options to mitigate the impact on patient care.