Illnesses Spreading in Hospitals

While we might like to think that hospitals are among are most sterile public facilities, the truth is that many have become breeding grounds for dangerous and even fatal infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 648,000 Americans per year develop one or more infections during a hospital stay, and about 75,000 lose their lives as a result. These are indeed alarming rates which have shown that some hospitals are not implementing the best practices regarding preventing the spread of infections and prescribing antibiotics.

The writers of “Consumer Reports” conducted a study of hospitals and their control of infections, and four out of ten received low scores for controlling clostridium difficile (C. diff), which affects about 290,000 Americans and kills over 27,000 per year. This infection hurts the balance of microorganisms in the stomach, which allows otherwise-harmless bacteria to spread uncontrollably and release toxins which attack the intestinal lining.

In the same study, three of ten hospitals received low scores for controlling MSRA, which sickens 60,000 and kills 8,000 per year. This infection is generally considered a “superbug” which cannot be killed by common antibiotics and is responsible for many infections which are difficult to treat. It can also cause painful infections of the skin, blood, lungs, and urinary tract.

Of all hospitals in the study, only 6% received decent scores for preventing these two infections, and the CDC has commented on inappropriate use of antibiotics which encourages the growth of more serious infections, claiming that we have now reached a point at which patients in hospitals are dying from infections which lack legitimate vaccinations to treat.
Awareness and legal action are essential factors in the fight against the spread of hospital-borne illnesses.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or illness due to medical negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.