RI Injury Lawyers Release New Infographic on Common Causes of Healthcare Infections
(PRWEB) September 30, 2013 -- Hospital infections can be caused by improper sterilization practices, unsanitary hospital conditions, or using single-use medical devices for multiple patients. Government statistics show that every 1.7 million people contract a hospital-related infection causing close to 99,000 deaths. The most common illnesses caused by this condition are pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections (i). People who have contracted an infection due to treatment at a clinic, hospital, or nursing home, should talk to a Rhode Island medical malpractice lawyer about their rights.
According to a CBS News article on September 2, 2013, a new medical study has found that hospital infections cost $9.8 billion every year. On average this bloodstream infections increase a patient’s medical bills by $45,814 and surgical site infections increase this amount by $20,785. According to the article, 20,000 lives could be saved and up to $6 billion could be saved by using better practices (ii). This condition can lead to substantial losses due to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and death.
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira stated, “People go to the hospital with the expectation that they will be treated and their condition will improve but in too many cases these people suffer further injury due to an infection. Our firm has worked on a number of these lawsuits. In one case, we maintained joint responsibility with another lawyer for a man whose leg was amputated after the surgical site was infected. Our legal staff is ready to answer any questions you have about your legal rights in these situations.”
The hospital infections infographic lists the common infections and their causes. d’Oliveira & Associates focuses exclusively injury lawsuits and disability claims. The attorneys at the law firm have experience helping clients throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The firm also works with medical malpractice lawyers, who handle these types of lawsuits, and there are no legal fees unless a settlement or award is obtained. To contact the firm call toll-free at 1-800-992-6878 or submit an online contact form.
(i) Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
cdc.gov/HAI/pdfs/hai/infections_deaths.pdf
(ii) CBS News, September 2, 2013.
cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57601002/study-hospital-infections-cost-$9.8-billion-a-year/
Paul d'Oliveira, Personal Injury Lawyer, http://www.good-legal-advice.com, +1 (800) 992-6878, [email protected]
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