Hospital Acquired Infections At Florida Facilities Put Patients At Risk

Whether you are hospitalized for an emergency injury, elective surgery, or other medical need, you expect that quality patient care will improve your health. It can be devastating to contract an infection because the hospital fails to meet appropriate standards for cleanliness and sanitation, but statistics show that these incidents are common. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients suffers from at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI) on any given day.

You are already in a vulnerable state of health when hospitalized, but diseases borne of unsanitary conditions may lead to life-threatening consequences. Facilities and entire health care systems can be held liable for failing to meet the appropriate standard of care, including issues related to hygiene. It is critical to discuss your legal options with a Florida hospital negligence lawyer if you suffer from any of the following serious HAIs.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) 

Most bacteria can be eliminated with antibiotics, but this form of staph may survive to infect bed linens and medical equipment. MRSA can also be transmitted by providers who do not properly disinfect their hands in between patient encounters. An infected patient may suffer from bloodstream and surgical site contamination, as well as pneumonia.

Clostridium Difficile (C. diff) 

This bacteria is another substance that can be spread by health care providers failing to properly wash hands, but unsanitary equipment can also pass C. diff. Patients may suffer from diarrhea and abdominal disorders, as well as fever. The biggest challenge with addressing C. diff is that it often develops in patients who had just been on antibiotics, so the bacteria is resistant.

Blood Infection 

When hospitalized, you may have a tube inserted into your body to administer medication or nutrients. This central line can become contaminated if not properly sanitized before insertion, leading to blood infection. While it can be fatal and lead to other health conditions, one of the major concerns is that blood infection can vastly increase recovery time – and therefore, your stay at the hospital. 

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) 

When a patient requires a urinary catheter, the equipment must be sanitized according to proper protocol to avoid serious UTIs. In addition, both insertion and removal must be handled by highly trained, qualified staff. These infections can lead to more serious health issues, as well as a longer stay in the hospital. 

Colon Surgery Infection 

If a patient develops an infection at the site of the colon surgery, the implications can spread to other parts of the body. Colon surgery infection can be fatal, but those who survive will spend some time in acute care. 

Consult with a Florida Hospital Negligence Attorney About Your Rights 

At Freidin Brown, P.A., our team is dedicated to holding facilities accountable when their negligence results in hospital acquired infection. If you or a loved one contracted an ailment because of unsanitary conditions, please contact us to set up a free case review with a skilled hospital negligence lawyer. We can meet with you at our office in Miami or Fort Myers to discuss specifics.

Resource:

cdc.gov/hai/data/index.html