Hospital Liability for Nosocomial Infection

Studies estimate that over two million people per year suffer the effects of infections from hospitals in the United States, many of which are preventable.  As a result of these statistics, hospitals may be liable under medical malpractice laws for injuries to patients due to a hospital acquired infection, which is also referred to as a nosocomial infection. 

Some common nosocomial infections include pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, which can cause serious illness, injury, and even death in some patients.  Therefore, a hospital is at risk for liability when the negligent actions of medical professionals lead to a hospital acquired infection. 

How Medical Negligence Leads to Hospital Acquired Infection

A hospital acquired infection can result from the negligent action – or inaction – of a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider.  Serious infections such as meningitis and sepsis can result from intravenous and urinary tract catheters being changed too infrequently and/or under non-sterile conditions.  Germs also can travel throughout already weakened patients’ bodies through tracheotomy tubes and surgical drains, as well as unclean surgical instruments.  Overextended hospital personnel also may cause preventable serious infections in patients simply by failing to wash their hands properly and as needed.  These negligent actions can result in infections that may be actionable as medical malpractice lawsuits.

Organizational Risk Factors Resulting in Medical Malpractice

Hospital acquired infection may result not only from the negligence of particular healthcare providers, but from organizational risk factors, as well.  Such organizational risk factors that contribute to hospital acquired infection, and, consequently, hospital liability, may include the cleanliness of the hospital facilities.  Cleanliness issues can range from the effectiveness of the hospital air filtration system to the measures taken to ensure sterility of medical instruments and services.

When to Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you or a loved one has contracted a hospital acquired infection, you should consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney for assistance in evaluating your claim.  Only a medical malpractice attorney can properly assess whether the hospital acquired infection resulted from the negligence of medical professionals, and/or from organizational risk factors.