Common Types of Hospital Infections

Many infections that are contracted during a hospital stay are entirely preventable. With proper hand-washing and sanitization practices, healthcare providers can reduce the number of hospital infections that occur every year in the United States.

The most common types of preventable hospital infections include: 

• infections at the surgical site;
• infections in the bloodstream;
• pneumonia; and
• urinary tract infections.  
  

There are also common types of lethal bacteria that patients can acquire while staying in a hospital and these include: 

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) - this fast-acting infection can lead to death within days.
• Klebsiella pneumoniae - potentially deadly infection in the urinary tract, digestive tract or bloodstream that is most commonly seen in patients undergoing invasive treatments.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa - leads to lower-respiratory infections and is very resistant to antibiotics.
• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) - infects wounds, the urinary tract and the bloodstream.
• Clostridium difficile - this toxic bacterium causes severe diarrhea and is often fatal.  

If you have experienced a serious illness or injury caused by a preventable hospital infection, contact an Aurora medical malpractice lawyer who is familiar with cases involving hospital-acquired infections. To learn more about the factors involved in a hospital infection claim, visit our article library. 

Contacting an Aurora Medical Malpractice Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, our Aurora medical malpractice attorneys will examine all aspects of your claim, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you or your loved one for any injuries or loss of life due to medical malpractice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation - 312-263-1080.