Editor:
Late last week and over the weekend, there were numerous reports in the media about a very rare fungal meningitis associated with a contaminated injectable steroid medication used to control pain and supplied by the New England Compounding Company. Im sure many area residents have likely heard about it.
To put minds at ease, Id like to make it known that Southwest Health System, Inc., never has and never will purchase any product from New England Compounding Company. As a matter of fact, in order to ensure the highest level of patient safety and product control, we do not purchase medication from any outside compounding pharmacies.
As Colorado is not among the 23 states to which this medication was shipped, area residents receiving care at Southwest Memorial Hospital and its affiliated clinics can rest assured that you are safe.
Our thoughts are with the victims and families who have been impacted by this situation.
Kent Helwig, FACHE
CEO, Southwest Health System, Inc.
Cortez
