Hospital Sanitation and Cleaning Policies – a Lingering Problem

New Orleans, LA Healthcare Associated Infections Lawyer

Healthcare Associated Infections, also known as Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), are a major problem in the U.S., primarily due to inadequate hospital cleaning and sanitation policies and procedures. The need for better hospital cleaning and disinfection methods is widely recognized in the industry and vital to the safety and well-being of patients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a survey of a large sample of acute-care hospitals in the U.S., published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that 1 in every 25 patients in hospitals on any given day has at least one healthcare-associated infection. The study also revealed that about 722,000 people suffered HAIs in U.S. hospitals in a recent year and that an estimated 75,000 people with HAIs died during a stay in the hospital. More than 50% of those fatalities occurred outside Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

New Technology for Hospital Cleaning and Sanitation

As discussed in a Fox News article, new technology may help improve sanitation and reduce the risk of acquiring HAIs in hospitals. Microbial resistant materials used for lab coats, hospital scrubs, and patient privacy curtains may reduce the spread of disease.

In addition, a robot called Eden that uses ultraviolet light to kill microbes on countertops and other surfaces may be effective for killing the antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” existing in our hospitals today. New antimicrobial technology is being used in public waiting rooms and intensive care units as well as emergency room to kill MRSA and other deadly superbugs, according to the article.

Technology is also helping healthcare workers maintain their own personal sanitation. Compliance-monitoring tracking technology is currently available to monitor how often doctors and nurses wash their hands. There is even a monitoring system that involves a badge with a flashing light – green if your hands are clean, red if they are not.

Unsanitary Conditions and Medical Malpractice

When unsanitary conditions that cause patients to become ill or lose their lives are the result of negligence, medical malpractice claims may arise. Infections sometimes develop in hospitals even when medical professionals do all they can to maintain sterile conditions. However, if the hospital or healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care and you or your loved one developed a serious or life-threatening infection as a result, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation.

Contact Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain Today

If you or someone you love developed an HAI during a hospital stay in Louisiana, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. At Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain, LLC, we can work with medical professionals to determine whether your HAI was the result of negligence, or if your doctor did all that should have been done to prevent and treat the infection. We have been helping injured Louisiana citizens for more than 70 years, and you can have confidence that your case is in good hands with our firm. Contact us today for a free case review.