Hospitals and healthcare professionals are two of the most vital aspects of patient health, and millions of patients visit the hospital every year for both minor and serious care. While the majority of these patients receive the care that they need without any issues, others become the victims of hospital-acquired infections.
A hospital-acquired infection can cause serious illness and long-term complications. To recover damages, speak with our lawyers about whether you have grounds to recover compensation.
Common Types of Hospital-Acquired Infections
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare-associated infections include the following.
- Surgical site infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia
- Central line-associated bloodstream infections
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): one type of serious infection that hospital patients might contract
Depending upon the type of infection, severity differs greatly. Infections such as pneumonia and MRSA can be very serious. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons names MRSA as the “silent epidemic,” and warns of its prevalence and severity.
Causes of Hospital-Acquired Infections
It’s important to remember that many hospital patients have compromised immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections than healthy people. Many infections, though, are preventable. According to HealthyPeople.gov, many hospital-acquired infections are the result of poor infection control practices.
For example, the following are possible causes of hospital-acquired infections.
- Improper sterilization or disinfection of equipment/materials.
- Using syringes or needles more than once.
- Using a single medication vial for more than one patient.
Other things, like failing to properly wash one’s hands, can also contribute to the incidence of infection within a hospital or other healthcare facility. Poor communication can also contribute to increased levels of hospital infections as a piece of equipment designated for one patient may be wrongly used on another patient, for example.
If you’ve been the victim of a healthcare-acquired or hospital-acquired infection, consider speaking with an attorney about the options that may be available to recover compensation for your damages.
Recovering Damages for a Hospital-acquired Infection
Healthcare providers in the state of New York have a duty to provide patients with care that is free from harm. Essentially, if a doctor or healthcare professional violates a standard of care that causes an injury to a patient, then the healthcare professional has committed medical malpractice. When medical malpractice takes place, a patient may recover damages for the cost of medical expenses, any lost wages, and even emotional pain.
The patient must present evidence that the infection was the result of poor infection control practices. This may require hiring a medical expert to provide testimony, reviewing hospital and medical records, gathering evidence of damages like medical bills, and collecting other types of evidence that injured patients should discuss with infection attorneys in New York who are familiar with these cases.
Take Legal Action: Consult Our Infection Lawyers in New York
The attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., understand how frustrating and traumatizing an infection acquired as a result of a healthcare provider’s negligent actions can be. As such, we’re ready to work to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve, to pay for these things and more.
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
For help filing your claim and understanding your rights as a victim of medical malpractice, give our infections attorneys in New York a call. To get started, call us today at 800-550-0000 or use our online contact form to set up your free initial consultation.
