Hospital Acquired Infections Attorneys

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that hospital-acquired infections (HAI) affect approximately 2 million persons annually with the risk of acquiring an HAI at 4.5 for every 100 hospital admissions. In one recent year, HAIs were responsible for 99,000 deaths, according to federal estimates.

Government statistics further find that the number of deaths associated with HAIs in hospitals exceeded the number attributable to several of the leading causes of death, including diabetes and kidney disease.

Many patients who survive HAIs often face permanent sickness and injury. The infections require longer, and potentially additional, hospitalizations and treatments, resulting in higher medical costs and pain and suffering to patients and their families. The events that lead to contracting an infection are considered to be preventable events, and given the dangerous and expensive nature of the infections can result in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our Scranton medical malpractice attorneys have represented clients with injury claims for more than 40 years. We understand the complexity of medical malpractice laws and the challenge of proving negligence in medical cases. For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns, contact us today for a free consultation or call us toll free at 877-421-9173.

Costs Associated with Hospital-Acquired Infections

Nosocomial infections, another name for HAIs, typically first appear 48 hours or more after hospital admission or within 30 days after discharge. All patients treated in a hospital are vulnerable to contracting an infection, including those receiving elective surgery.

When patients get infections in the hospital, the consequences can be costly. HAIs account for $17 billion to $29 billion in additional costs each year, according to the National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine. In 2006, pneumonia and sepsis alone, two of the most frequent infections, resulted in an additional $8.1 billion in health care costs and 2.3 million extra hospital days for the affected patients.

Prevention of Infections

Health experts say many of these infections can be prevented through following the standard health care provider hygiene procedures. When being treated by healthcare providers insist that they follow proper hygienic practices to prevent the growing danger of an infection.

Measures include:

• Thorough and frequent hand washing with alcohol-based hand rubs or soap and water
• Wearing gowns and gloves
• Using care when prescribing antibiotics (over prescription is associated with causing the antibiotic-resistant strains)
• Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of all surfaces, including medical instruments and rooms
• Education of patients and healthcare providers on the spreading of germs
• Screening incoming patients for latent infections
• Assembling kits of sanitized equipment used in common nursing procedures and having them readily available in rooms
• Consistent use of procedure checklists.

In addition, there is emerging technology and review of hospital data to make it easier for hospitals to reduce infections. Some of the innovations include room sanitizing robots, reports showing where a hospital is generating the most infected patients and which surgeons and medical personnel are having problems with infected patients.

Risk Factors and Transfer of Infection

A report from the New York State Health Department states that within hours of admission, colonies of hospital strains of bacteria begin developing "in the patient's skin, respiratory tract, and genitourinary tract." The colonizing pathogens can be transferred to the patient in three ways:

• Iatrogenic. Pathogens on the hands of medical personnel, invasive procedures (for example, intubation and extended ventilation, indwelling vascular lines, urine catheterization), and antibiotic use and prophylaxis.
• Organizational. Contaminated air-conditioning systems, contaminated water systems, and staffing and physical layout of the facility such as nurse-to-patient ratio and bed locations.
• Patient-related. The severity of illness and the length of stay.

The hygienic practices of the medical staff and the cleanliness procedures of the hospital contribute to whether a patient will be susceptible to nosocomial infections. The factors that lead to infection include:

• Patient health. Patients that enter a hospital and are already in a poor state of health will have impaired defense mechanisms against bacteria. Also, elderly patients or newborns with suppressed immune systems – often contributed to by drugs or illness – are at higher risk.
• Use of invasive devices. Invasive devices such as urinary catheters, surgical drains or intravenous lines increase the incidence of infection by breaching the skin's defense. One study found a patient is seven times more likely to acquire an infection in the hospital if an invasive device is used.
• Treatment. The treatment a patient receives can leave him vulnerable to infection. Certain treatments will suppress the immune system and undermine the body’s defenses, while antimicrobial therapy and recurrent blood transfusions can also pose risks.

Types of Bacteria

Hospital infections are difficult to treat as many of them are drug resistant and lethal. The bacteria in hospitals lead to urinary tract infections, hospital acquired pneumonia, surgical site infections and blood-stream infections, as well as other deadly illnesses if not treated immediately. The most common strains of dangerous bacteria found in hospitals include:

• C-Diff. Clostridium difficile Infection, also known as C. difficile, C Diff or CDI, is an infection triggered by the use of antibiotics during extended treatment in a patient. Infection can range from a mild diarrheal illness to more severe disease such as pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon, sepsis, and potentially, death.
• MRSA. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, including methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Some MRSA strains have developed super-strength virulence, allowing them to spread more rapidly, causing severe illness resulting in the shutdown of vital organs, widespread infection (sepsis), necrotizing ("flesh-eating") fasciitis, and potentially, death.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A nosocomial pathogen is the fourth most commonly isolated nosocomial pathogen, accounting for more than 10 percent of all hospital-acquired infections. This bacteria causes urinary tract infections, respiratory system infections, dermatitis, soft tissue infections, bacteremia, bone and joint infections, gastrointestinal infections and a variety of systemic infections, particularly in patients with suppressed immune systems.

Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one has had medical treatment that resulted in an infection, contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal rights. At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, we have offices conveniently located in Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Hamlin, Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, PA. We have the benefit of the local presence within and knowledge of the local legal communities where medical malpractice matters are litigated.

Our firm has built a reputation over 40 years in the courts within Lackawana, Monroe, Schuylkill, Wayne, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. Contact us now for a free claim evaluation at 877-421-9173.