Queens Hospital Infection Attorney

Contact Our Skilled Medical Malpractice Attorney

The nursing staff and doctors at a hospital should be properly trained on infection prevention and should keep this training up to date. Hospitals should have specific procedures in place to prevent infection, particularly in at-risk patients with central lines, catheters, or ventilators, or who have had surgical procedures.

An infection can leave you worse off than you were when you went to the hospital to seek treatment in the first place.

If you or someone you love experienced a serious infection in a hospital in the Queens area, the Law Office of David A. Kates may be able to help. We represent patients and families of patients in hospital infection lawsuits, pursuing financial compensation that can help them rebuild.

Interested in learning more? Call (718) 866-3664! We offer a free consultation to talk to you about your case and how attorney David Kates can help. 

How Common Are Infections in Hospitals?

Despite stringent sterilization protocols in many hospitals, infections are a surprisingly common occurrence. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 1 in 31 hospital patients develops at least one healthcare-related infection each day. This translates to an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year.

Of these infections:

• 32% of all hospital-acquired infections are urinary tract infections
• 22% are surgical site infections
• 15% are respiratory infections (pneumonia)
• 14% are blood-related infections

Patients who suffer from a post-operative infection spend on average 6-7 days longer in the hospital, are five times more likely to be readmitted after discharge, are 60% more likely to require intensive care, and are twice as likely to die than those without infections.

It is estimated that surgical infections alone account for up to $10 billion in annual healthcare costs.

Types of Hospital-Acquired Infections

Hospitals often rely on invasive procedures and devices to treat patients and help them recover, and these come with risks. Infection is one such risk. Hospital-acquired infections may be caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens that enter a patient’s body.

The most common include:

• Central line-associated bloodstream infections
• Ventilator-associated pneumonia
• Catheter-associated urinary tract infections
• Surgical site infections

What Causes Infections in Hospitals?

An invasive procedure or device such as a ventilator or catheter may increase a patient’s risk of developing an infection, and hospital staff should be well aware of this.

By implementing proper hygiene procedures, certain hospital infections can be avoided. These procedures are extensive but are a part of the care that should be provided at a hospital.

Hospital infections may occur if a facility does not implement proper preventive measures, which include:

• Participation in infection prevention and control training
• Annual facility infection risk assessment
• Infection control policies and procedures available in writing for hospital staff
• Education for patients, family members, and other caregivers
• Hand hygiene program, with annual training
• Personal protective equipment training and procedures
• Training and policies for catheter insertion and maintenance
• Training and policies for insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters
• Training and policies for insertion and maintenance of ventilators, including aerosolized medications

A facility should follow protocol related to sterilizing surgical instruments and any medical devices that are inserted into a patient’s body.

Post-operative care is also essential, which may include an antibiotic regimen or other administration of medicine to prevent infection. Any failure to take preventative measures could be an indicator of medical malpractice.

Compensation for Victims of Hospital-Acquired Infections

If you acquired an infection in a hospital, you may be facing expensive medical bills and further treatment that will result in missed work, physical pain, and emotional trauma. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the hospital, offering you a way to set things right again.

Damages available to victims of healthcare-related infections include:

• Medical expenses
• Prescription drug costs
• Corrective procedures and surgeries
• Lost wages and other income
• Past, present, and future pain and suffering
• Wrongful death (if an infection leads to a loved one's passing)

Call the Law Offices of David A. Kates, PLLC Today!

If you or someone you know has developed an infection while receiving medical care, know that you can seek justice for your suffering.

Queens hospital infection attorney David Kates can help you explore your options and determine what your case may be worth. Backed by more than two decades of legal experience, our firm has what it takes to hold those responsible accountable.

Call (718) 866-3664 or fill out our online contact form to get started.