Hospital Lawsuits for Post-Op Infection

Any surgery carries some degree of risk, but often the greatest danger to the patient is after the operation.  If an error during the procedure goes unnoticed, or the nursing staff fails to monitor the patient during recovery, a treatable infection or complication can quickly become life threatening.

A physician or surgeon can induce iatrogenic risk factors inadvertently during medical treatment or diagnostic procedures.  The term iatrogenic is defined as “induced in a patient”, especially pertaining to a complication of treatment.  Iatrogenic infections are responsible for approximately 20,000 deaths among hospital patients each year.

Post-Surgical Complications

Infection or bleeding after surgery may or may not stem from surgical errors.  The surgical team and post-op staff have a duty to monitor the patient closely.  Negligent surgical care can lead to the following complications:

• Hemorrhage or internal bleeding
• Heart attack or stroke
• Infection after an operation (staph infection, MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection)
• Anesthesia complications
• Adverse reactions to medications

Septic shock can be a life-threatening reaction to a severe infection.  During septic shock, the body tissues and organs don’t get enough blood and oxygen.  The problem can start with a small infection that overwhelms the body’s defenses and spreads.  Failure to treat infection at an early stage can lead to organ failure, amputation, brain damage or death.  Even when a post surgery error is not life threatening, it can cause lasting or permanent harm.

Filing a Malpractice Lawsuit

If you suspect that a loved one’s serious illness, permanent injury or death was caused by negligent surgical care or post-operative care, you should contact a medical malpractice attorney to review the case.

A medical malpractice attorneys will offer a free case review, as well as have a medical professional establish the merits of a medical malpractice case.