Perhaps you had hip or knee replacement surgery and stayed in the hospital for a couple of days afterward.
Was the nosocomial infection you developed misdiagnosed at the outset? How did the infection occur?
About the infection
A nosocomial infection is an infectious disease usually caused by a pathogenic organism, such as bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses. A hospital or nursing home patient can acquire this kind of infection from another person or from the surroundings. Patients can also acquire nosocomial infections in an extended care facility or rehabilitation center. Symptoms such as pain, fever, night sweats or breathing difficulties could be attributed to an issue other than an infection and thus, misdiagnosed.
Most common
In addition to surgical wound infections, the most common types of nosocomial infections are respiratory, gastrointestinal or genitourinary in nature. Young children, the elderly and people with immune deficiencies are most at risk for contracting the infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infection generally results from three common pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
How it begins
Transmission of a nosocomial infection can occur when medical instruments are not properly sterilized or when the patient has direct contact with a nurse or other medical staff member who has not washed his or her hands. A patient could also acquire such an infection from the food or water served at a hospital or nursing home. In order to prevent nosocomial infections from happening, the environment for patients must be clean and sanitary. Staff must always follow infection control procedures and practice proper personal hygiene, including handwashing.
Malpractice cases
Many malpractice cases develop either from delayed treatment resulting in harm to the patient or misdiagnosis, as in the matter of a nosocomial infection, an error that can have long-lasting, adverse effects. If a breach in the standards of medical care you should have received was responsible for your infection, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Do not hesitate to explore your legal options.