Key Takeaways
- Healthcare-acquired infections can turn dangerous quickly and may be a sign of medical malpractice when a provider is careless.
- Common types include surgical-site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line bloodstream infections, and MRSA bacteremia.
- Surgical-site infections may be only skin deep or may reach the underlying tissues, organs, or implanted material.
- Central line infections can occur when a line is incorrectly placed or not properly sterilized and in some cases can lead to death.
- Hospital-onset MRSA bacteremia is often caused by failure to decontaminate hands or devices and can cause a dangerous blood infection or septic shock.
When you turn to a healthcare professional for help, you expect them to care for your health. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In certain instances, you may have suffered a healthcare-acquired infection because of their carelessness.
Let us help fight for your Medical Malpractice Claim
Healthcare-acquired infections can turn dangerous in an instant, and they may be a sign of medical malpractice. When a doctor or other medical professional fails to protect your safety, it can impact your health, finances, and well-being. You may need emergency medical treatment for these infections. Following treatment, it’s always a wise idea to contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer in Portland that can help with your case.
Healthcare-Acquired Infections Can Become Dangerous
Certain precautions are needed to protect your health and safety when seeking help from a healthcare professional or hospital, as bacteria can easily spread in a hospital setting. Unfortunately, when a professional in the healthcare field is careless, it can lead to dangerous infections that can turn deadly without treatment. Below are some of the most common examples of healthcare-acquired infections.
Surgical-Site Infection
When you have surgery, you create an open wound in the body. Having surgery opens up areas of your body to potential bacteria. These surgical-site infections may be superficial, meaning they are only skin deep, or they may involve the underlying tissues, organs, or implanted material.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
A ventilator may be placed in your throat to help you breathe. However, bacteria can pass through the ventilator or tube and enter the lungs, potentially causing a ventilator-associated infection that becomes pneumonia. When you are already struggling to breathe, contracting pneumonia can be a potentially life-threatening situation.
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs)
Following surgery or other treatment, you may need a catheter to help urine drain from the bladder, but these catheters can pick up the bacteria. When bacteria travels from the catheter to the bladder, it can cause a urinary tract infection. These infections can be painful and can require antibiotics.
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Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs)
A central line is used to measure the amount of fluid in the body, give fluids, or even give medicine. However, if this tube is incorrectly placed in the body or is not appropriately sterilized, bacteria can enter the blood through the tube, which is put in a large blood vessel in the chest, arm, neck, or groin. Unfortunately, these are serious infections and, in some cases, can lead to death.
Hospital-Onset (HO) Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Bacteremia
When acting as hospital staff, frequent hand washing, and sterilization are vital in avoiding the spread of MRSA bacteria. If hospital staff is not careful, you may experience MRSA bacteremia, or MRSA in the blood, which can cause a dangerous blood infection or septic shock. This infection is often caused by failure to decontaminate one’s hands or devices, or it can be caused by coming into contact with an already infected wound.
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You May Have Grounds for a Lawsuit for an Infection
If you have suffered a serious infection because of a healthcare provider’s carelessness, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. Healthcare providers are expected to take specific precautions to avoid situations like these, and while certain issues can be difficult to avoid, a medical professional should always take care to avoid them. If they fail to protect you, reach out to Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC.
Your attorney can help guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit for a healthcare-acquired infection. That includes gathering evidence, filing claims, and representing you in the courtroom. This process starts with a free consultation, so reach out by calling or filling out our online contact form.