Hospital-Acquired Conditions
If you are a patient in a hospital, you are likely there for a serious medical condition. Unfortunately, some patients suffer from Hospital-Acquired Conditions, which may leave a patient in an even worse condition than when they entered the hospital.
Hospital-Acquired Conditions
Hospital-Acquired Conditions, also known as HACs, are any “complications” that occur during a stay at a hospital or medical facility. Essentially, Hospital-Acquired Conditions are any medical complications that did not exist at the admission of the patient to the facility. These HACs are a serious type of medical malpractice, as patients are now suffering from an additional medical condition due to the negligence of a hospital staff employee, doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Types of Hospital-Acquired Conditions
Not every acquired medical condition in a hospital rises to the level of medical malpractice. Oftentimes, a patient will develop an infection, or develop an additional condition through no fault or negligence of a medical professional. However, there are many legally identified Hospital-Acquired Conditions that are currently recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services include the following:
- Embolisms
- Blood transfers with incompatible blood
- Urinary tract infections due to catheters
- (DVT) Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- Traumas due to falls
- Objects left in patients following surgery
- Iatrogenic pneumothorax with venous catheterization
- Poor glycemic control that could be avoidable
- Pressure Ulcers – Stage III and IV
- Surgical Site infections after the implantation of a cardiac electronic device
- Surgical site infections following certain orthopedic procedures
- Vascular catheter-associated infections
Medical Malpractice
All medical facilities are required to operate within certain standards regarding their patients. When it is determined that a medical standard of care that is legally required was violated by a medical professional, hospital, or medical facility a patient may have substantial legal grounds for medical malpractice.
Again, it is important to note that many medical issues are simply unfortunate occurrences during a patient’s hospital stay and will have no relation whatsoever to medical malpractice or negligence. However, if a physician, nurse, or other hospital staff violates an established duty or medical standard accepted by the medical community and a patient suffers an injury in the hospital or medical facility, a patient may have a strong case for medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice cases are legally complicated, and if you were injured in a medical facility or a hospital due to someone’s negligence you should contact an experienced attorney to help you determine if you may have the right to compensation for your injuries.
Let Us Help You Today
If you were in a hospital or medical facility, you were likely there for a serious medical condition. However, if you have suffered from any additional medical complications due to a Hospital-Acquired Condition you may have the right to compensation for your additional injuries. If you believe that you were the victim of medical malpractice, contact the Scranton personal injury attorneys at the Needle Law Firm at 570-344-1266 or online today for your free consultation and to help determine your next best steps.
Resource:
cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/HospitalAcqCond/Hospital-Acquired_Conditions.html
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