Shortage of blood culture vials could impact patient care, CDC and FDA warn

There is a critical shortage of certain vials used to collect samples for blood cultures in the US. The shortage is affecting the diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infections and related conditions. The affected vials are manufactured by a company and they have made efforts to address the issue. Healthcare providers are advised to develop plans to manage the situation immediately. Hospitals, in particular, are expected to be impacted the most. Blood cultures are important for responding quickly to serious conditions.