Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are infections acquired while receiving medical care in a healthcare facility. They can include surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections and pneumonia.
While healthcare providers are legally obligated to take precautions to prevent HAIs, their occurrence does not always indicate a failure to meet the standard of care. Certain patients, such as those with weakened immune systems, chronic illnesses or advanced age are more vulnerable to infections. Additionally, medical equipment like catheters or ventilators inherently carry infection risks, even with proper care. Patients may also enter healthcare facilities with antibiotic-resistant bacteria or undetected infections that progress during their stay.
When do HAIs constitute medical malpractice?
For an infection acquired at a healthcare facility to be considered medical negligence, it must result from a deviation from the expected standard of care. This may include failing to:
- Maintain proper sterilization procedures
- Monitor for early signs of infection
- Administer timely or appropriate treatment
Establishing medical malpractice involves proving the healthcare provider’s actions or inactions directly caused the infection and that the harm was avoidable through reasonable care.
Legal guidance is crucial
Healthcare providers accused of negligence in HAI cases or other forms of medical malpractice face significant reputational and professional risks. Allegations of malpractice can result in costly lawsuits, damage to professional credibility and strained patient trust.
Given the complexities of HAI cases, seeking urgent legal assistance is essential to protecting your interests and mitigating potential risks. Proper guidance can ascertain whether negligence occurred, determine a defense based on the facts and increase the chances of securing the best possible outcome.