Operation Infection Lawyers: Study Points to Anesthesiologists as Cause of Surgery Infections
When a surgeon, anesthesiologist or nurse fails to properly wash their hands to get rid of germs before operating on a patient, it can create a serious risk of an operation infection. According to a new study that looked at procedures in 164 operations, anesthesiologists may be an unrecognized source of hospital infections.
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The study was published in this month’s issue of the medical journal Anesthesia & Analgesia, finding that some operating room personnel are not exercising effective hand washing to get rid of germs before operating on patients. The researchers discovered that bacteria made its way into the operating room in 90% of all procedures.
The researchers, from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire, found bacteria in the valves of intravenous lines in 11.5% of all operations. In half of those cases, the same bacteria was found on the hands of anesthesiologists and nurse-anesthetists. Poor intraoperative cleaning was identified as a major cause of bacteria in the operating room, and researchers suggested that additional intraoperative cleaning practices should be explored.
Infections pose a serious risk, especially for those undergoing surgery or confined to a hospital or nursing home. The CDC has previously reported that there are more than 2 million hospital infections acquired each year, resulting in about 90,000 deaths annually. Another 1.5 million long term care and nursing home infections occur every year.
In many cases, operation infections are preventable and failure to follow simple preventative steps, such as washing hands, can have catastrophic consequences.
There has been an increase in the number of hospital infection lawsuits filed throughout the United States in recent years, as experts widely believe that most of these potentially life-threatening infections can now be prevented if steps are taken by the hospital and staff. These steps could include improved methods of handling catheter during insertion, leaving them in for shorter periods and improved hygiene. Many hospitals have instituted new rules to ensure that hands are washed and increased efforts are being taken to keep areas lie the ICU more sterile and catheters clean.
OPERATION INFECTION LAWSUITS
The medical malpractice lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. investigate potential operation infection lawsuits for serious injuries caused by an infection during surgery that could have been prevented with the exercise of the proper standards of medical care. To review a potential case for a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
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