Knowing When an Infection is Medical Malpractice: Why Hospital Acquired Infections Could be Caused by Reckless or Negligent Conduct
Patients in hospitals often encounter infections, a common risk with medical procedures or surgeries. However, not addressing these infections promptly can pose serious risks. Notably, some hospital-acquired infections (HAI) may result from medical malpractice. This could stem from improper sterilization, unclean beds, or poor hygiene practices. Some HAIs, while not all dangerous, can resist antibiotics and become extremely hazardous. These infections can result in severe outcomes, including sepsis and death.
If medical malpractice has caused you or a loved one to suffer from a HAI, you may have legal rights. To understand these rights, reach out to our lawyers at Medical Malpractice Universe. They can clarify how to establish liability and the possible damages you can claim, depending on your state and injuries.
Hospital Acquired Infections Explained
Hospital-acquired infection (or HAI) is an infection that occurs during hospitalization and is not related to the reason for admission. Generally speaking, any infection that occurs 48 hours or more after hospital admission is considered a hospital-acquired infection. When that HAI is caused by reckless or negligent conduct, it can result in serious personal injuries to others.
Why Do Hospital Acquired Infections Occur?
There are many different causes and risk factors of hospital-acquired infections. The cleanliness of the hospital is one risk factor, along with the cleanliness of the water, building surfaces, HVAC filtration, concentration of patient beds, and cleanliness and sterility of medical devices.
Thus, one common cause of hospital-acquired infections is failure to follow infection prevention protocols, including use of the sterile technique for sterile procedures, using gloves when touching a patient, cleaning the hub of an IV or central line with alcohol before hooking up any fluids or medications or any other deviation from infection prevention protocols. Hospital-acquired infections and adverse outcomes from hospital-acquired infections are often considered medical malpractice.
Certain risk factors put a patient at higher risk for hospital-acquired infections, including if the patient is immune-compromised, the severity of illness or injury, and duration of stay in the hospital. This type of risk factor is referred to as the iatrogenic risk factor. This relates to care being administered, including whether hands are washed and sanitized before entering a room, touching a patient, administering medication, intubating, inserting a urinary catheter, or performing any other procedure. Iatrogenic risk factors are entirely preventable if appropriate sanitation is performed.
Is a Hospital Liable for Healthcare Acquired Infections?
It can often be challenging to determine hospital liability acquired infections, as it can be challenging to determine the condition’s exact cause and how it was acquired. An investigation needs to be performed to determine how the infection was acquired, if a particular individual was responsible, and if it was diagnosed and treated promptly. This is why it is wise to hire an experienced healthcare-acquired infection lawyer who is experienced in appropriately investigating the circumstances that led to a diagnosis of hospital-acquired infection.
What is Sepsis Caused by an HAI
Sepsis is the body’s reaction to an infection, such as an HAI. Sepsis is considered a life-threatening medical emergency and must be treated immediately to prevent death or other serious injuries such as amputation, lung damage, kidney failure, brain damage, liver failure, cardiac damage, and many other injuries. A hospital-acquired infection should never progress to sepsis. If this occurs, negligence most often is the cause.
What are Common Types of Health Service Acquired Infections?
Certain infections are commonly seen in the hospital setting and often are considered hospital-acquired. The most common sources of hospital-acquired infections are catheters, ventilators, and other medical devices. Surgical infections are also quite common, as are C. diff and MRSA. Any condition that is left untreated can progress to sepsis.
Are Infections That Develop After Discharge Considered Hospital Acquired?
It can be more difficult to tie an infection to the hospital-acquired source after discharge. However, if an individual develops an infection within 1-2 weeks, it is highly likely to be hospital-acquired.
Can You Sue for a Hospital Acquired Infection?
There is no cut-and-dry answer for whether or not you can sue for a hospital-acquired infection. To file a lawsuit for a hospital-acquired infection, it must be proven that the infection was, in fact, hospital-acquired. Usually, an expert medical witness will need to review your case to determine if you were treated appropriately and whether or not the infection could have been prevented. Additionally, you can only sue if the hospital-acquired condition caused damages. Damages for a hospital-acquired illness could be any of the following:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of income and loss of future wages
- Medical bills
- Loss of consortium
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term care
- Nursing care
- Assistive devices
- Funeral and burial expenses
Learn About Compensation For Hospital Acquired Infections Due to Medical Malpractice
If you or a loved one were injured due to any type of infection from a medical procedure or at a hospital, call an experienced hospital acquired infection medical malpractice lawyer like one of ours located here at Medical Malpractice Universe. The consultations and case evaluations are free with no obligation to sign up, and you can get answers to the questions you may have about your case.