Talk to a Suffolk County medical malpractice lawyer if an injury caused by a negligent surgeon or facility has led to a serious infection. Permanent physical damage or even death may result from medical malpractice injury. Lawsuits have named health care providers responsible for circumstances or actions that have caused these infections when the evidence proved negligence. It is important to understand how infections can occur and what you can do to get justice.
Infections
An infection is caused by disease-producing germs entering the body. This may be through a person’s mouth, nose, eyes, wound, etc. Other types of infections may be at the root of a medical malpractice injury. For example, any infections that develops because your doctor didn’t follow hygiene procedures could be considered medical malpractice.
Staph and Sepsis
Staph is a bacterium known as staphylococcus aureus. Found on the skin, this organism can cause an infection when it enters the body through an incision made during surgery or a wound.
Repercussions from a staph infection can be quite serious. Surgery on internal organs where staph is transferred can permanently damage muscle. Patients also may have staph enter their bones and bloodstream, the latter of which can cause sepsis. This condition is poisonous to the body and can be life threatening if not treated.
A staph infection may develop after surgery if the treating medical personnel do not follow proper hygiene procedures. It also can be transferred to a patient through contaminated surgical equipment and devices used during the procedure.
Foreign Objects
Another way patients may end up with a medical malpractice injury is if a foreign object is left inside their body. This usually happens when a surgeon negligently overlooks a piece of gauze or medical wrapping inside the patient.
This foreign material can cause an infection to develop. Unfortunately, many patients may not begin to feel the effects for weeks or months when signs of sepsis start to surface. Symptoms may include fever, chills, shivering or sweating. At this point, permanent damage may have already been inflicted on the body and more than likely, additional surgery will be needed. If it goes unchecked, a patient can die from septic shock.
Nosocomial Infections
One possible cause of injury in a hospital setting is nosocomial infection. This is an infection acquired while at the hospital and is not part of the patient’s condition when they were admitted.
Nosocomial infections in hospitals can be affected by:
- the overall cleanliness of the hospital, including which disinfectants are used, how often hospital surfaces are cleaned, the water system’s cleanliness, the air conditioning and heating system’s filtration efficiency and how many patients per room/area;
- the level of care with which hospital staff perform their duties, especially when it involves invasive procedures such as insertion of needles, intubation, catheterization and surgical procedures;
- the severity of the patient’s medical condition;
- the length of time a patient is required to stay in the hospital; and
- the susceptibility of the patient’s immune system.
Hospitals and medical personnel must uphold a standard level of care for their patients. When they fall short and cause injury, you have a right to compensation.
Consult a Suffolk County Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Anyone who’s suffered a medical malpractice injury or had a loved one die needs experienced legal help on his or her side. Talk with the Suffolk County medical malpractice lawyers at Gacovino, Lake & Associates. Our team will work hard to protect your rights and fight for you and your family’s deserved compensation. Schedule your no obligation consultation today by calling 800-246-4878.
