Avoiding Dangerous Hospital Infections: What You Need to Know
When we are admitted to the hospital, we expect to receive treatment that improves or cures our condition. We may need diagnostic testing, medical care, surgery or a combination of approaches. We don’t expect to contract a serious or deadly infection that leaves us unhealthier than we were before. Yet, hospital infections are far more common than most people imagine.
Here are some disturbing facts:
- On any given day, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one infection associated with their care.
- One study showed 687,000 patients in acute care hospitals developed infections in the course of one year.
- About 72,000 of these patients died in the hospital as a result of their infections.
How do hospital infections happen?
Patients develop hospital infections, also known as HAIs (healthcare-associated infections), for a variety of reasons.
A serious infection can cause someone to become seriously ill and even die within a short period of time. Vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, infants and young children, and people with compromised immune systems are especially at risk. However, even a young and healthy person can contract a dangerous hospital infection.
Common causes of hospital infections
- Unsanitary medical equipment or implements
- Improper use of medical devices such as catheters or ventilators
- Inadequate post-operative care of a surgical site
- Unsafe/unsanitary injection procedures
- Insufficient training of permanent and temporary staff members
- Poor communication among medical team members
- Understaffed hospitals
- Neglecting to use protective accessories such as masks and gloves
- Failure of medical staff to sufficiently monitor patients or notice signs of infection
- Failure to prescribe antibiotics in a timely manner
- Prescribing the wrong antibiotic for a particular infection
What patients can do to prevent hospital infections
Speak up
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or voice concerns. If you’re going to have surgery, ask your doctor what you can do beforehand to help prevent infection. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics or other medications, ask what to expect, including any side effects.
Be diligent about handwashing
Keep your own hands clean, and make sure your visitors wash their hands, too. Most hospitals have hand sanitizer dispensers in the patient rooms and hallways. If hospital staff members fail to wash their hands before treating you, politely remind them to do so.
Learn the signs of infection and report them to your doctor immediately
Some infections can turn deadly if they’re not treated promptly. Swelling, fever, pain, redness or drainage are all possible signs you may have an infection. If you think something is wrong, don’t hesitate to inform a nurse or doctor.
Report recurring diarrhea or cramping
If you have more than three episodes of diarrhea and/or intense cramping, you could have a C. difficile infection. This is a serious condition that can be exacerbated by certain antibiotics.
Make sure you and your children are vaccinated
Follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your children’s pediatrician. However, vaccinations are not just for kids. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding flu shots or shingles vaccines. In addition, ask if you need vaccinations or boosters for measles or other childhood diseases.
Hospital infections can happen anywhere, even in a highly-rated hospital. While not all infections are caused by medical mistakes, many of them are. If you believe you or a loved one was a victim of medical negligence, call us immediately. Our experienced medical malpractice legal team will fight to win the compensation you and your family deserve.
Medical malpractice law is complicated, but finding the right lawyer is simple.
Call 1-800-MALPRACTICE today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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