UPDATE: Monarch Med Spa Shut Down After Liposuction Infection Death

The Timonium Monarch Med Spa has been shut down by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene after three cosmetic surgery patients received serious infections.

One of three individuals diagnosed with the Streptococcus (GAS) infection after receiving liposuction has died, according to a release issued Wednesday afternoon. The other two patients were hospitalized.

UPDATE (1:40 p.m.)—The University of Maryland Medical System’s infection control unit reported the three cases to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on Monday, according to the order to cease operations (see attached).

"On September 18, 2012, investigators from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Baltimore County Department of Health inspected the facility at 9608 Deereco Road and observed probable deviations from standard infection control practices, among other potential deficiencies," the order goes on to say.

UPDATE (2:10 p.m.)—A spokeswoman from the Baltimore County Department of Health Public Information Office could not elaborate on the specifics of what was found at Monarch, citing an ongoing investigation.

The order, signed by Health Department Secretary Joshua M. Sharfstein and Baltimore County Health Officer Gregory Wm. Branch concluded that "conditions at the Monarch Med Spa facility ... endanger the public health and that all operations at the facility should cease until the cause of the public health has abated."

Monarch performed the surgeries between mid-August and mid-September, according to the release.

The department urged patients who may have suffered similar infection symptoms to seek medical help and notify their local health departments.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever or influenza-like syndrome
• Redness at a wound site
• Abrupt onset of generalized or localized severe pain and swelling, often rapidly increasing
• Progressive dizziness, weakness and confusion

About 10 to 15 percent of patients diagnosed with the infection die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Cosmetic surgery centers in Maryland are not currently subject to state licensure," the release states. "In the near future, DHMH will seek public comment on potential approaches to oversight of these facilities."

Monarch Med Spa is located at 9610 Deereco Rd Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093.

Stay with Patch as we continue to update this story.