The last thing any patient wants to see is poor hygiene in a hospital. Many patients are very ill and vulnerable and poor hygiene in the hospital is likely to make their condition worse.
Hospitals must have regular cleaning protocols in place as well as devices such as hand wash and sanitizer stations. What are the potential consequences of poor hygiene in hospitals?
The spread of disease and infections
Some patients may have conditions that are contagious. Thus, they need to be kept separate from other patients. This involves more than simply keeping them in a separate hospital bed. Steps must be taken to prevent the spread of disease. Floor surfaces, walls and other parts of the hospital should be regularly disinfected to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
It’s important to note that it is not only patients and visitors that are exposed to danger when hygiene is poor. Hospital staff may also be impacted if infections or diseases are allowed to spread. The result of this is that staff may have to take time off to recover from illness, leaving the medical facility understaffed. Understaffing is an issue in many facilities, and it significantly reduces the standard of care that patients receive.
In some cases, entire wards and units have to be shut down when infections and contagious diseases spread. This is extremely risky for patients for several reasons. Firstly, the patient may not be able to receive the treatment that they need and might have to move to another facility. For vulnerable patients with serious illnesses, moving them is impractical and it can even be life-threatening.
If your condition has been worsened by poor hygiene in a hospital, you can hold the facility to account. Seeking legal guidance will help you to assess your options.