People go to hospitals expecting to receive the medical care they need. Sadly, some patients get worse instead of better when they get a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) during their care. Avoidable infections in health care facilities are shockingly common. If you were harmed by an infection due to medical negligence, you could pursue financial compensation for your damages.
Contact Sangisetty Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with a New Orleans avoidable infection malpractice lawyer. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys serve clients throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
What Are Some Examples of Avoidable Infections?
HAIs and hospital-related infections affect about one in 31 hospital patients each year. A hospital patient seeking treatment for other issues may suffer an avoidable infection while in the health care setting—often within 48 hours of admission. Due to the wide variety of viruses and bacteria in hospitals, health care workers must follow strict safety standards to prevent the spread of germs. When proper precautions are not followed, infections can be spread from one patient to another.
Avoidable infections can be serious and sometimes fatal. Some frequently seen infections in hospital settings include:
Staph Infections
Staphylococcus, commonly called staph, is a dangerous bacteria that can enter the body through wounds or surgical incisions. Staph infections start small but can spread throughout the body and cause severe complications, including death if untreated.
Bloodstream Infections
When infections enter the bloodstream, patients can suffer severe harm. A common entry point for bloodstream infections is through catheter insertion points. When catheters are inserted into the body to draw fluids or administer medication, harmful bacteria or viruses can enter through those insertion points if the worker is not careful.
Surgical Site Infections
When incisions are made during surgery, those involved in the procedure must take care to keep the site clean and free of infection. Otherwise, viruses and bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream, with dangerous results.
Pneumonia
Hospital-acquired pneumonia is a lung infection that occurs during a patient’s hospital stay. Pneumonia can occur when health care workers fail to take sanitary precautions to prevent the spread of germs. Pneumonia is also commonly associated with patients who require ventilators during their hospital stay.
Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency caused by the body’s response to infection. Without rapid and aggressive treatment, sepsis can cause tissue decay, organ failure, and death. Sepsis is the third-leading cause of hospital deaths in the United States. Bacterial infections that spread in a hospital setting can cause severe sepsis.
Serious but avoidable infections can start in hospitals when health care workers do not use proper cleaning techniques or equipment to safeguard patients from disease. If you believe your infection could have been prevented, contact a malpractice attorney in New Orleans.
Damages in an Avoidable Infection Medical Malpractice Claim
When medical negligence leads to a serious avoidable infection in a health care setting, injured patients in New Orleans can seek compensation through a personal injury claim with the help of a lawyer. An experienced attorney could investigate the facts to determine who was liable and how.
Damages in a medical malpractice claim may include economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income, and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and other intangible losses.
Contact a Malpractice Attorney in New Orleans To Discuss Your Preventable Infection Claim
Nobody expects to acquire a serious infection while receiving care in a hospital setting. When safety precautions are not followed, however, negligent acts may lead to dangerous infections with severe complications.
If you suffered an infection due to medical negligence, contact a New Orleans avoidable infection malpractice lawyer to discuss your legal options for pursuing compensation. Sangisetty Law Firm operates throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.