People go to hospitals to receive treatment for traumatic injuries or illnesses. They need the expert support of healthcare professionals or types of treatment that are not available over the counter. There is an expectation that patients admitted to a hospital should receive proper support with daily activities until they recover.
Most people also expect hospitals to be relatively safe and clean. Unfortunately, medical facilities are well-known disease vectors. The presence of so many people in one location makes the risk of spreading disease a noteworthy concern. Some people develop severe, even life-threatening illnesses during inpatient care at a hospital.
What are some of the most common scenarios wherein people develop infections because of the negligence of hospital workers?
Exposure due to poor sanitization
Certain types of infections are more common in hospitals than elsewhere. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a perfect example. This antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria often proliferates in hospital settings. The failure to properly sanitize spaces and equipment in between patients can lead to MRSA infections. In fact, healthcare professionals failing to change their gowns and gloves can potentially spread bacteria from an infected person to a vulnerable person.
Improper care after injury or surgery
Even at facilities that are fastidious about combating MRSA, the spread of infections is a serious concern. Anytime an individual has an injury that breaks the skin, they have an elevated risk of an infection. Healthcare workers should be particularly careful about handling surgical incisions and other open wounds. They also need to carefully monitor the patient to watch for warning signs of infection setting in to treat the issue as quickly as possible. Failing to provide proper support for someone with an injury or who has undergone surgery may increase their risk of serious infection.
Sometimes, systemic infections obtained at a hospital can increase a patient’s overall medical costs. In more extreme cases, they may sustain permanent damage – or even die – as a result of an infection. Sickened patients and grieving family members sometimes have grounds for medical malpractice lawsuits when negligent hospital exposure is the cause of a major infection. Failing to monitor patients and sanitize spaces can lead to preventable infections and may constitute malpractice in particularly egregious cases.