San Antonio Hospital Negligence Lawyers

What is Hospital Negligence?

Hosptial-Acquired Infections & Other Conditions

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), also known as nosocomial infections, are infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for other conditions within a healthcare facility. These infections are typically not present or incubating at the time of admission but develop during the hospital stay.

HAIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens and can occur in various parts of the body. They are a significant concern because they can complicate treatment, lead to longer hospital stays, increase healthcare costs, and result in higher morbidity and mortality rates.

Common examples of HAIs include:

• Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSIs): These infections occur when bacteria or viruses enter the bloodstream through a central line, which is a catheter placed in a large vein to administer medication or fluids.
• Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs): These infections are associated with the use of urinary catheters, which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract.
• Surgical Site Infections (SSIs): These infections occur at or near the surgical incision site within 30 days of a surgical procedure. They can affect the skin, tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material.
• Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP): This type of pneumonia develops in people who are on mechanical ventilation (breathing machines) through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube for at least 48 hours.
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections: MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. It can cause various infections, including skin infections, bloodstream infections, and pneumonia.
• Clostridioides difficile Infections (CDI): These infections result from the overgrowth of C. difficile bacteria in the colon, often due to antibiotic use. They cause severe diarrhea and colitis.
• Bloodstream Infections (BSIs): General term for infections that occur when bacteria or fungi enter the bloodstream, potentially causing sepsis.
• Pneumonia: Apart from VAP, other types of pneumonia can develop in hospitalized patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems or underlying lung conditions.

Additionally, hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) are adverse health conditions or complications that patients develop during their stay in a healthcare facility, which were absent while being admitted. They can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and significant morbidity or mortality.

Common HACs include:

• Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores): These are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. They often develop on bony areas of the body, such as heels, elbows, and the sacrum, particularly in patients with limited mobility.
• Falls and Trauma: Patients can experience falls while hospitalized, leading to fractures, dislocations, or head injuries. Falls can occur due to various factors, including medications, unfamiliar environments, or physical weakness.
• Surgical Complications: This includes conditions such as postoperative bleeding, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and wound dehiscence (reopening of a surgical incision).
• Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): VTE encompasses both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, conditions caused by blood clots. Hospitalized patients, especially those undergoing surgery or with limited mobility, are at increased risk.
• Catheter-Related Complications: Beyond infections, catheters can cause complications such as thrombosis, bleeding, and mechanical issues, leading to further interventions and increased risk of other HACs.
• Gastrointestinal Complications: These can include stress ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and colitis not related to C. difficile. They can result from stress, medication side effects, or other hospital-related factors.
• Sepsis: Severe infections that spread throughout the body, leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and potentially life-threatening organ dysfunction. Sepsis can originate from various sources, including infected wounds, catheters, or surgical sites.
• Adverse Reactions to Blood Transfusions: Complications from blood transfusions can include allergic reactions, infections, and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).
• Respiratory Complications: Conditions such as atelectasis (collapse of part of the lung) and pulmonary embolism can arise in hospitalized patients, particularly those who are immobilized or post-surgery.
• Delirium: Acute confusion or cognitive dysfunction often seen in older adults, which can be triggered by the hospital environment, medications, or underlying medical conditions.

Who is Liable for Hospital Negligence?

Liability for hospital negligence can vary depending on the circumstances of the case and the jurisdiction's laws. However, generally speaking, the following parties may be held liable for hospital negligence:

• Hospital Administration: Hospitals can be held liable for negligence if they fail to maintain proper standards of care, adequately train staff, or ensure that appropriate protocols are followed. This could include issues like understaffing, inadequate equipment maintenance, or failure to implement safety procedures.
• Medical Staff: Individual doctors, nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals may be held liable if their actions or omissions result in harm to a patient. This could include errors in diagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors, or failure to provide appropriate treatment.
• Contracted Service Providers: Hospitals often contract with outside companies or individuals to provide certain services such as laboratory testing, radiology, or anesthesia services. If negligence by these contracted providers causes harm to a patient, they may also be held liable.
• Employed Staff: Hospitals employ a variety of personnel, including nurses, technicians, and support staff. If any of these employees are negligent in carrying out their duties, they may be held personally liable, and the hospital may also be vicariously liable for their actions.
• Medical Device Manufacturers: If negligence in the design, manufacturing, or labeling of medical devices contributes to harm suffered by a patient, the manufacturer of the device may be held liable.
• Government Entities (for Public Hospitals): In the case of public hospitals, government entities may bear liability for negligence, though the rules regarding sovereign immunity can sometimes limit the extent of this liability.
• Third Parties: In some cases, third parties not directly associated with the hospital or medical staff may be held liable for negligence. For example, if a patient is harmed due to faulty equipment provided by an external supplier, that supplier could be held liable.

Can a Hospital Negligence Attorney Help?