According to the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. patients undergo approximately 46.5 million surgical procedures and far more invasive medical procedures, including 5 million gastrointestinal endoscopies, each year. All of these surgeries and invasive procedures carry with them the risk of infection. The CDC has reported that hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections, occur in approximately 1.7 million patients and account for about 100,000 deaths each year. The most common hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are urinary tract infections, surgical site infections, respiratory infections and bloodstream infections. Anyone who is a patient at a hospital, clinic, nursing home or other healthcare facility risks contracting an HAI, the CDC has said. And while HAIs are preventable, many hospitals and other healthcare facilities fail to comply with established disinfection and sterilization guidelines.

HAIs are especially frightening when one considers the new “superbugs” that are becoming increasingly common among hospital patients. These include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. diff), both highly toxic and resistant to common antibiotics. According to the non-profit Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID), MRSA is one of the fastest-growing infections affecting patients, affecting about 880,000 individuals each year. Similarly dangerous, C. diff. infects about 500,000 people each year. Given these figures, it is not surprising that according to RID, the CDC estimates fall far short of the actual number of HAIs and resulting deaths that occur each year. 

In light of the frightening frequency with which HAIs occur, we urge patients to take an active role in protecting themselves from infection. For steps to prevent infection, please see http://www.hospitalinfection.org/protectyourself.shtml.

If you suspect that you or a loved has contracted a preventable healthcare-associated infection, it is crucial to consult with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you secure all of the compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include compensation for pain and suffering, financial loss, emotional distress and medical expenses. In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages for another party’s wrongdoing. Our dedicated trial lawyers can also help you deal with your insurance company, as well as the insurer of the other party or parties. The insurance companies have lawyers working hard to minimize their payouts; you need a medical malpractice attorney who will work just as hard for you.

At Feldman Shepherd, we are committed to helping our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey obtain the best possible recovery as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. If we may be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today.