Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire while in a health care setting for other reasons. These infections can end up leading to health complications that are far more severe than what brought them into the hospital in the first place – leading to prolonged hospital stays, permanent physical damage and even death.
While not every infection that starts in a hospital is a sign of medical malpractice, many are – and an infection that starts during or immediately after a hospital trip should always be suspect.
What causes HAIs?
There are all kinds of possibilities, but many hospital-acquired infections are related to:
- Contaminated instruments and equipment: Medical equipment and instruments, from suture kits to catheters, have to be thoroughly sterilized before use. Inadequate sterilization procedures are common causes of urinary tract and surgical site infections.
- Poor hand hygiene by medical providers: In general, there have been numerous issues with health care providers not adhering to basic hand sanitization protocols, especially in emergency rooms or when making rounds in hospitals. That can transmit bacteria and viruses from patient to patient very easily. It’s to the point where the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has even published information reminding physicians and other providers to wash their hands and encouraging patients to speak up about the issue.
- Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions: There is no question that hospitals have suffered from both space and staffing issues. Patients are left waiting in common areas or parked in beds in hallways because the space can be so limited – and the hospitals often lack enough satellite staff members available to sterilize rooms for the necessary turnover.
If you or your loved one has been the victim of a hospital-acquired infection, your first priority is getting the necessary medical care. Your second should be finding out more about your options for a medical malpractice claim