Infections in Hospitals
Hospital Acquired Infections & Medical Malpractice Claims
When you go to a hospital, the last thing on your mind is that you will be infected by a deadly or severely harmful bacterial infection. As the final defense against sickness and disease, one should not have to associate the hospital with anything other than wellness. The sad truth of the matter is that hospitals can become breading grounds for dangerous, drug-resistant infections. At Bostwick & Peterson LLP, we take infections in hospitals very seriously. If you have caught an infection from your stay in the hospital, you should not hesitate to seek out a Los Angeles medical malpractice attorney immediately.
Common Strains of Lethal Bacteria Found in Hospitals
Without strict sanitary procedures or extensive bacterial testing and prevention, hospitals can become the ideal spot for bacteria to grow. The constant influx of sick, germ and bacteria carrying individuals can contribute greatly to introducing new strains of drug-resistant infective agents. It is also important to know that antibiotics are not affective against some strains of bacteria. Even bacteria that were once easily treatable can mutate to become resistant to antibiotics. These drug-resistant strains can then aggressively replicate at a dangerous fast rate.
Another sad reality about hospital acquired infects is that more people die of these infections than the combined number of people who die from breast cancer and AIDS. Even if these infections are not fatal, a contaminated instrument can still lead to full or partial paralysis.
Some common strains of lethal bacteria found in hospitals include:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Klebsiella pneumonia
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE)
These bacterial infections can result in wrongful death and untold pain and suffering. Because of the fact that most of these infections can be easily prevented, if you face serious medical complications as a result of an infection you got at a hospital, you should take legal action immediately to seek compensation for your hardships.
Contact a Los Angeles medical malpractice attorney if you would like to learn more infections in hospitals.