Hospital acquired infections or HAIs are far more common than most people realize. Although infection rates have declined slightly in recent years, a significant number of patients still leave hospitals with serious conditions they did not have when they entered. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that about four percent of patients acquire a preventable infection or HAI that was caused by hospital negligence.
Hospital Acquired Infections Pose Significant Risks to Patients
Hospital acquired infections are preventable infections that often occur because of hospital negligence. One of the easiest ways infections are spread is person-to-person contact. The most common failure involves poor hand washing when handling equipment such as catheters, respiration equipment, and others. Another cause of HAIs involves overuse or improper use of antibiotics.
HAIs related to the P. aeruginosa bacteria have the potential to cause kidney infections, UTIs, and respiratory infections. The mortality rate for the bacteria is very high. HAIs are at times referred to as complications which occur after the procedure has been completed and healing has begun.
Common hospital acquired infections include:
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Surgical-site infections
- Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections
- Hospital onset Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
- Pneumonia
- Gastrointestinal illness
- Primary bloodstream infections
- Meningitis
Symptoms of HAIs
If you have recently been in the hospital and are exhibiting one or more of the following symptoms, you may have a hospital acquitted infection:
- An infection appearing within 48 hours of admission
- An infection appearing within three days of discharge
- An infection within 30 days following an operation
- An admission was for a reason other than the infection
- Wound discharge
- Fever/headache
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficult urination
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
Factors Associated With a Higher Risk of Contracting a HAI
Hospital acquired infections share certain common elements or risk factors. If you are admitted to a hospital for any reason, you are at risk of catching an infection which you did not have previously. Following are the most common risk factors related to hospital negligence:
- Having a non-private room
- Being over 70 years of age
- Long-term use of antibiotics
- Having a urinary catheter
- Long-term stay in ICU
- Having a coma
- Having a weakened immune system
South Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. Obtain Compensation for Those Who Have Suffered a Hospital Acquired Infections
If you or a loved one has been a victim of hospital negligence in South Jersey, you are advised to contact the South Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. We have the experience needed to determine if your condition is the result of hospital or physician negligence. Whether the personal harm was minor or severe, immediate advice is needed. Contact us online or call us at 856-354-9444. We advocate for clients in New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
