When Is a Post-Surgery Infection Considered Medical Malpractice?

Surgical procedures can make anyone nervous. Most surgery patients breathe a sigh of relief after the procedure is over. However, the danger is not over just because the actual procedure is over. Post-surgical infections are a very real threat - especially if the patient is elderly or in ill health. If you or a loved one suffered an infection after getting surgery, you may wonder if the infection was preventable. If an infection is caused by substandard medical practices before, during, or after a surgery, this may be considered medical negligence. The patient, or the patient’s surviving loved ones, may be entitled to monetary compensation through a medical malpractice claim.

Post-Operative Infection After Surgery

Any surgical procedure has risks, and one of the most serious risks is the chance of bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens entering the body. There are many ways to significantly decrease the chances of infection after surgery, including thorough sanitation of the operating equipment before surgery, proper handwashing and use of personal protective equipment, and post-surgery wound care.

Negligence on the part of a doctor, surgeon, or another medical provider may lead to avoidable infections. If a post-operative infection is not recognized and treated promptly, the infection can spread and become extremely dangerous. Some post-operative infections are fatal. The at-fault party for a surgery-related infection may be an individual or liability may fall to the hospital or medical facility.

Medical malpractice occurs when medical negligence causes a patient to suffer damages. Damages are costs associated with an illness, injury, or death such as additional medical bills or lost income. Examples of medical negligence include:

• Insufficient sanitation of the operating room and equipment
• Surgical errors, including accidentally nicking the patient’s bowel during infection
• Improper cleaning of the incision site
• Failure to recognize an infection and provide the appropriate medication or care
• Improper use of antibiotics or antimicrobials

Taking Legal Action for an Infection

Infections caused by negligent medical care before, during, or after surgery can lead to significant complications including sepsis or death. If you or a loved one developed an infection due to substandard medical treatment, you may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party. The party may be required to pay for your additional medical expenses, lost income from missed work, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Contact a Cook County Surgical Injury Attorney

At Kaiser Hafezi Law, we help injured patients and their loved ones hold negligent medical providers and facilities responsible for their actions. We can help you pursue financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. Call our Bensenville medical malpractice lawyers at 630-233-9946 and set up a free consultation today.

Source:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/surgical-site-infections