We place a great deal of trust in the hands of our doctors. We believe that they are looking out for our best interests, and will work to return us to health as quickly as possible. When we visit them at their office or clinic, we feel that we are in a place that is committed to our well-being. However, some of these facilities are struggling to curb a very frightening condition that could result in extremely serious health problems for patients.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections can occur whenever an individual goes to a hospital, clinic or other type of health care facility for treatment of any kind. If the facility and its instruments are not properly sterilized, the bacteria may find its way into the individual’s bloodstream and cause an infection. Individuals that acquire these infections from their health care providers may be eligible to bring a claim for medical malpractice against these negligent institutions.
The reason that MRSA infections are such a concern is that they are resistant to several antibiotics. In some of the most severe cases, there may be only one drug used to combat the condition, which has led to concerns that the antibiotic will become ineffective after the infection learns to adapt.
Some hospitals have implemented new procedures to deal with the spread of MRSA, and it seems to be having an impact. A review of MRSA cases by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that these infections caused due to poor conditions in hospitals have decreased more than 50 percent since 2005.
While the number of MRSA cases has decreased, it is still a very serious issue for health care facilities. Over 80,000 new cases were reported in 2011 according to the CDC, which is still a substantial number. Hospitals will need to be aggressive in developing methods to ensure that its patients are not subject to this condition, and that they are keeping up with an potential changes in the makeup and treatment of MRSA.
If you have been injured due to the negligent conditions at a health care facility, or as a result of treatment administered by a medical professional, speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney to learn more about your potential claims. An attorney will carefully review the factors that led to your injuries, and help you decide how best to move forward.
These types of cases often involve testimony about very detailed treatments and procedures, and it is important that you work with someone who understands how to present this information to the court. You should not have to deal with these concerns while you are trying to recover from your injuries.