Escambia Co. health facility received tainted meds

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - The Escambia County Health Department and Pain Consultants of West Florida are working to identify recipients of an infected batch of steroids, known as methylprednisolone acetate.

Health officials said the medication may have been used in spinal and joint injections, that are used to help deal with back and joint pain.

The contaminated medication came from a plant in Massachusetts, and was administered by Pain Consultants of West Florida between July 8, 2012 and September 28, 2012.

“We've talked to a lot of people who have been complaining of various problem--- fever, headache, aches and pains,” said Dr. John J. Lanza, Director of the Escambia County Health Department.

Pain Consultants of West Florida is one of eight facilities in the state that has received the contaminated medicine, which was identified by the center for disease control.

In a press release from the Escambia County Health Department, officials wrote, "The most current information indicates that approximately 300 patients may have received spinal injections, and around 200 to 300 patients may have received joint injections during this time frame. These figures may change if further recipients are identified."

Patients who believe they may have received the medication during the time frame are encouraged to alert their primary physician. 

The Health Department wrote:

"Persons experiencing signs or symptoms of joint infection or meningitis should seek immediate medical evaluation by their physician or their local hospital emergency department."

Symptoms include:

•  worsening inflammatory symptoms in the treated joint, including increased redness, warmth, swelling or pain.
• fever, new or worsening headache, nausea, and/or new symptoms consistent with a stroke.

Persons at risk of infection should call their physician to ensure that their physician is aware of their risk.

More information can be obtained from the Escambia County Health Department at 850.595.6651 or from your local health department. For individuals outside Escambia County, the Florida Department of Health has set up a toll-free hotline at 1.866.523.7339.

Additional information can be found here. Media releases and other local information can be found here. Also check with  the Escambia Health Department.