Multiple injection safety violations found in New Jersey septic arthritis outbreak

Multiple violations of injection safety and infection prevention practices — from lack of handwashing to inappropriate re-use of medication vials — were identified after an outbreak of septic arthritis at a New Jersey outpatient facility in 2017, according to a recent investigation. Investigators found 41 patients with osteoarthritis contracted the rare, painful infection following injections in their knee joints, including 33 who required surgical removal of damaged tissue.