Even though healthcare facilities are designed to treat serious infections, they can also be the cause. Patients who are in the hospital for an extended period or who have complicating factors may be at risk of contracting a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). In severe cases, these infections can cause long-term disability or death.
We go over signs of HAIs below, plus how you can take steps to hold a facility responsible for negligence if you or a loved one developed a new infection while in the hospital.
Overview: What Is a Hospital-Acquired Infection (HAI)?
A hospital-acquired infection is one that develops during or after a hospital stay and is unrelated to a patient’s original medical complaint. For example, if a patient who is staying overnight after gallbladder surgery develops a fungal infection at the incision site, this would be considered an HAI.
Symptoms of an HAI
According to the Cleveland Clinic, signs of a hospital-acquired infection are similar to other kinds of infections and include:
- Fever or chills (hyperthermia)
- Low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- Heart palpitations
- Abdominal pain
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Excessive urination (polyuria)
- Discomfort when urinating (dysuria)
- Rapid and/or shallow breathing (tachypnea)
- Altered mental status
- Diarrhea
If you or a family member develop any new symptoms while in the hospital, it’s crucial to consider the possibility of an HAI.
Causes of Hospital-Acquired Infections
The National Library of Medicine reports that the most common strains of bacteria and fungi responsible for HAIs include:
- Clostridium difficile
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Candida albicans
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Enterobacteriaceae
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens
However, viruses like COVID-19, hepatitis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can also result in an HAI. These microorganisms can be introduced into the body through things like:
- Tracheostomies
- Foley catheters
- Central lines
- Incision sites
- Endotracheal tubes
- Intravenous lines (IVs)
- Medical implants
- Insulin pumps
- Mechanical ventilation
- Bed sores
Additional Risk Factors
Unfortunately, patients with the following have an increased risk of contracting a hospital-acquired infection:
- Older age
- Poor nutrition
- Obesity
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
- Weakened immune system
- Underlying comorbidities
- Co-existing infections
- Certain medications, including PPIs
- Frequent doctor visits
- Extended hospital stays
- Recent administration of IV antibiotics
- Mechanical ventilatory support
- Recent surgery or other invasive procedures
- Implanted medical devices
Physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals employed by the hospital are responsible for taking patient risk factors into account when developing treatment plans.
For instance, if a patient arrives at the emergency room after a car accident and a central line is placed, it should be changed once the patient is stable to reduce the risk of infection.
HAI Prevention
Other steps that hospitals and healthcare providers should take to prevent HAIs include frequent handwashing, wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper sterilization of tools used during procedures.
Patient rooms should also be cleaned and disinfected regularly, and individuals with bacterial, fungal, or viral infections should be isolated to prevent the spread of microorganisms to others.
How to Test for Hospital-Acquired Infections
Diagnostic testing for HAIs includes but is not limited to:
- Blood tests to indicate levels of liver enzymes, lactic acid, low or elevated white blood cells, and other serum abnormalities
- Urine tests to indicate the presence of ketones, albumin, or abnormal proteins
- Culturing samples obtained from infected areas to identify the type of bacteria or fungi causing the infection
- Spinal tap to detect the presence of white blood cells and bacteria
What to Do When a Hospital Causes an Infection
If you or a family member have contracted a hospital-acquired infection, you may be unsure of what to do next or what steps you can take to hold the hospital responsible. At The Mellino Law Firm, we work with victims of hospital negligence every day and can advocate for your family to get justice after a serious infection.
Contact us at (440) 333-3800 or send us a message online, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to schedule a free case consultation.
Read More
Explore statistics about the prevalence of HAIs, detailed prevention tips for healthcare providers, and how to file a claim against a hospital responsible for an infection.
Seeking Help for Hospital-Acquired Infections
Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim for a Hospital-Acquired Infection