Albuquerque Hospital Acquired Infection Attorney

In a hospital setting, patient safety should be the top priority. Unfortunately, health care facilities and their employees do not always adhere to the correct standards of care. Incorrect or unsafe practices at a medical center can enhance the risk of hospital-acquired infections, or HAIs, that can have severe consequences for a patient, including premature death.

If you or a loved one suffered from a hospital-acquired infection in Albuquerque, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Discuss your case during a free consultation with an Albuquerque medical malpractice lawyer when you contact The Fine Law Firm.

What Is a Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI)?

A hospital-acquired infection, also called a healthcare-acquired infection, describes any infection that a patient acquires while receiving care in a medical facility, such as a hospital, clinic, surgical center or doctor’s office. At the time of admission, the patient does not have an infection, but a few days or weeks into treatment, an HAI develops. These infections are often caused by germs or bacteria in the patient’s environment, including the medical tools and equipment used to treat the patient.

What Infections Are Commonly Acquired in Hospital Settings?

In a hospital or health care setting, factors such as vulnerable patients, the use of invasive tools and medical devices, poor sanitation practices, and frequent contact with staff and other patients increase the odds of hospital-acquired infections.

Some of the most common HAIs include:

• Urinary tract infections can occur from receiving a urinary catheter during care at a facility if bacteria enter the urinary tract.

• Surgical site infections may occur near surgical incisions post-operation, ranging from skin infections to deep-tissue or organ infections.

• • Pneumonia, a lung infection, can occur in patients who are on ventilators if bacteria get into the tubes and enter the lungs.

• Bloodstream infections can form when bacteria or germs enter the bloodstream, such as from an unsanitary catheter placed into a large vein.

• C. difficile infection, caused by a specific bacterium (C. difficile), can arise after the use of antibiotics and cause inflammation of the colon.

• Gastrointestinal infections can occur due to the overuse of antibiotics, which can harm normal gut bacteria and allow bad bacteria to flourish.

• MRSA (methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a staph infection that can occur as part of a surgical site infection. It is resistant to common antibiotics.

Any of these infections could trigger sepsis – a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs from the body’s response to an infection. It is a state of widespread inflammation that can damage the tissues and cause organ failure or death.

Consequences of HAIs for Patients

A hospital-acquired infection has the power to disrupt a patient’s recovery, prolong a hospital stay, worsen the patient’s prognosis and even increase mortality rates. Patients who suffer HAIs often experience consequences such as:

• Additional health issues or complications, such as sepsis
• Delayed recovery and extended hospital stays
• Financial burden from increased medical costs
• Rehabilitation or therapies
• Long-term or permanent disabilities
• Increased susceptibility to future infections
• Organ damage or organ failure
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Premature death (wrongful death)

An infection that develops during a hospital stay can have serious and sometimes life-threatening consequences. It is important for a patient who experiences an HAI due to medical malpractice in Albuquerque to pursue justice and compensation for the harm caused.

Medical Negligence and Hospital-Acquired Infections in Albuquerque

Medical negligence, or the failure of a health care provider to act with the proper amount of care, increases the risk of HAIs. Medical negligence or medical malpractice can include improper sanitation and sterilization practices, such as staff members failing to follow handwashing protocols. It can also describe the failure to use personal protective equipment and the misuse of antibiotics.

Other examples of malpractice that can lead to an HAI include:

• Poor hygiene by health care staff
• Failure to follow surgical sterilization protocols
• Improper wound care
• Incorrect use of medical devices
• Failure to replace damaged medical devices or equipment
• Overuse or misuse of antibiotics
• Poor postoperative patient care
• Failure to protect patients who have compromised immune systems
• Failure to isolate patients with contagious infections
• Lack of training or education on infection prevention for health care workers
• Delayed or inadequate treatment of infections

Any act or omission that a reasonable and prudent health care provider would not have made in the same or similar circumstances can constitute medical malpractice if it results in harm to a patient, including an infection. The injured patient in this situation would likely have the right to file a medical malpractice claim in Albuquerque.

Types of Compensation Available for an HAI in Albuquerque

A medical malpractice claim for a hospital-acquired infection can help a victim and victim’s family move forward by providing financial compensation or damages for all related losses. A successful settlement or jury verdict for a medical malpractice case could lead to compensation such as:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost capacity to earn
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional injuries
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages, if applicable

The value of a claim will depend on the extent of the victim’s damages, any long-term disability, the insurance policies available and various other factors. Discuss the value of your case with an attorney who can accurately assess your damages before accepting a settlement from an insurance carrier.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

If you wish to file a medical malpractice claim for a hospital-acquired infection in New Mexico, you must do so within three years of the date of malpractice. This is the legal filing deadline under a state law known as the statute of limitations (N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8). If you wait too long to file a claim, your right to seek compensation may be time-barred, or not allowed.

Contact a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Albuquerque at The Fine Law Firm

In many situations, a hospital-acquired infection can have legal implications. Depending on the circumstances, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim. If you wish to hold a negligent health care provider accountable for a preventable infection, contact The Fine Law Firm. We will analyze your case and help you understand your legal options moving forward.

Our attorneys are passionate about advocating for the rights of wronged patients in New Mexico. To discuss a specific hospital-acquired infection case with an attorney in Albuquerque, contact us at (505) 889-3463 to schedule a free case consultation. You may be entitled to a monetary recovery for your losses.