Patient Information Regarding Fungal Meningitis and Medications from New England Compounding Center (NECC)
For patients concerned about fungal meningitis and medications from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) – the company that sold contaminated steroids – please see the list of frequently asked questions below.
Essentia Health did not purchase any steroids from NECC. As soon as we learned of the meningitis outbreak and concerns about NECC products, we immediately followed FDA recommendations and removed all NECC medications from our pharmacy shelves. We recognize that this situation raises concerns among our patients, and we want to do everything we can to provide information that will help to ease their worries.
1. Did Essentia Health purchase any of the steroid medications linked to cases of fungal meningitis?
No, Essentia Health did not purchase any steroids from New England Compounding Center (NECC), the company linked to the cases of fungal meningitis around the country. Patients can be confident that any steroid injections they received at Essentia Health facilities were not produced by NECC.
2. Did Essentia have the heart medication from NECC that may be connected to fungal infections?
No, Essentia Health did not purchase cardioplegic solution from NECC, which may be linked to two new cases of fungal infection. This medication is used during heart surgery. Please note: A Minneapolis Star Tribune article from October 17, 2012, incorrectly said that Essentia Health had used this medication.
3. Did Essentia purchase any medication from New England Compounding Center (NECC)?
Yes, Essentia Health did purchase some medications from NECC. Here’s a list of the facility locations and types of medication that were given to patients.
| Facility |
Medication |
Essentia Health-Duluth
(formerly Miller-Dwan)
|
- Injectable drug used to treat headaches after electroconvulsive therapy
|
| Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd |
- Topical anesthetic
- Injectable diuretic
- Injectable drug used to treat headaches after electroconvulsive therapy
- Injectable medication used during obstetric care
|
| Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes |
- Eye drops for cataract surgery
- Injectable medication to promote drug absorption
|
Essentia Health-Ada
|
- Eye drops for cataract surgery
- Injectable medication to promote drug absorption
|
4. How will patients know if they received any NECC medications during their care at Essentia Health?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are asking healthcare providers across the state to notify all patients who have received any medication produced by NECC since May 21, 2012.
Essentia is contacting patients by letter if they have received one of the medications listed above during that time frame.
5. What symptoms could indicate that a patient may have fungal meningitis or other fungal infection?
The signs and symptoms of fungal meningitis include: Fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and altered mental status.
Symptoms of other possible fungal infections could include:
For injectable medications: Swelling, increasing pain, redness and warmth at injection site
For eye medications: Visual changes, pain, redness or discharge from the eye
6. What should patients do if they received a letter and have these symptoms?
Patients should contact their healthcare provider right away if they experience any of these symptoms and have been notified that they received an NECC medication.
7. Where should patients call if they have more questions?
Essentia Health patients can call Patient Relations at (218) 786-3091 or send an e-mail to kimberly.nelson@essentiahealth.org if they have additional questions.
For patients with questions after hours or over the weekend, they can call the Essentia Nurse Care Line at 1-800-714-4646.