(NewsNation) — The vials used for blood culture samples made by Becton Dickinson are in critically low supply, which could lead to delays in diagnoses or misdiagnoses according to an alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Blood cultures are critical in diagnosing patients with bloodstream infections and associated conditions including endocarditis, catheter-related bloodstream infections and sepsis. Blood cultures allow healthcare providers to identify the causes of these infections and guide treatment plans.

Most blood cultures in the U.S. are performed using continuous-monitoring blood culture systems, and the Becton Dickinson continuous-monitoring blood culture system is used in about half of all U.S. laboratories. This system is only compatible with the Becton Dickinson BACTEC blood culture media bottles.

The shortage is the result of supply chain disruptions, but a Becton Dickinson vice president told clinicians that more vials should be available in September. 

The CDC advised health facilities to improve their blood culture collection practices, as unnecessary or incorrect collection can worsen shortages.