Hospital Infections Lawyer - d'Oliveira & Associates

Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Lawyer

A Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) is an infection that develops while a patient is receiving medical care. These infections are also known as Hospital-Acquired Infections, but because these infections are not limited to hospital environments but can be transmitted in any health care setting, they are now referred to as Healthcare-Associated Infections, or HAIs.

In recent years, healthcare providers are increasingly able to prevent HAIs through adherence to clean and safe healthcare procedures. However, the statistics show that the rate of many of these serious infections is either becoming worse or not changing at all. These infections can be a result of any number of bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and there are many different ways that the infections can be contracted. The most common infections are:

Central Line-associated Bloodstream Infections: A central line is a tube that is inserted in a large vein in the arm, neck or chest that is used to deliver fluids, blood, or medications to the patient. A central line infection can lead to a blood infection, which can often be fatal to the patient.
Surgical Site Infection (SSI): When a patient has surgery, sometimes a virus, bacteria, or fungus can enter the body at the incision point. The infection can then spread to organs or other tissues under the skin. Some of the infections that are contracted due to surgery include MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) which is a skin infection that is resistant to antibiotics.
Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: A ventilator is a machine that assists a patient with breathing, and if germs enter through the tube from the ventilator, the patient can develop a lung infection, otherwise known as pneumonia.
Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infection: A catheter is a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine from the patient’s body. If bacteria enter the body through the catheter, the patient can develop a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections can be extremely painful, and if not treated properly, can lead to bladder and kidney infections.
Clostridium difficile Infection (C. diff / CDI): Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that develops as a result of prolonged use of antibiotics. This can cause serious gastrointestinal infection or colitis.
Infections contracted in the healthcare setting can occur in many of the different ways mentioned above, but they can also include a variety of different bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Some of the types of infections that can be contracted at a healthcare facility include:

• Acineobacter – This type of bacteria results in an infection that rarely occurs outside of the hospital setting.
• Burkholderia cepacia – This bacteria is often resistant to antibiotics, and is often contracted by patients with cystic fibrosis.
• Clostridium Sordelli – this rare bacterium can cause pneumonia, inflammation of the heart and abdominal area, arthritis, and gangrene.
• Hepatitis – these viral infections include Hepatitis A, B, and C, and they primarily affect the liver. The contraction of Hepatitis in the healthcare setting affects both patients and healthcare workers.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS)  - This virus leads to a breakdown in the immune system. Exposure to HIV in the healthcare setting is extremely rare, but can occur.
• Influenza – more commonly known as the flu, influenza is contracted in many places outside of healthcare settings, but outbreaks can occur in hospitals.
• Klebsiella – this bacterium can cause pneumonia, blood infections, skin infections, and meningitis. This bacterium is often antibiotic-resistant.
• MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus): although MRSA is the most commonly known strain, many different types of Staphinfections can occur.
• Mycobacterium abscessus – this bacterium can contaminate medications and medical devices, and it can cause skin and lung infections.
• Norovirus – Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, which is an indlammation of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms of a norovirus include severe vomiting and diarrhea.
• Tuberculosis (TB) – TB is spread through the air and is the result of a patient with TB going undiagnosed in the healthcare setting, thus spreading the disease throughout the facility.

Why We Are Successful - Our Qualifications:

Attorney Paul d'Oliveira and his Associate Attorneys have settled thousands of personal injury cases over the past 23 years. We know who the best medical malpractice lawyers are for your specific type of case in RI and MA and are committed to helping you find the best lawyer to represent you. Remember the attorneys we work with do not charge a fee until you recover an award or a settlement for your case. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, medical malpractice cases are referred to a local attorney in your area who is experienced in litigating these types of cases.

Contact the Law Offices of d'Oliveira & Associates, P.C.

If you believe that you or one of your loved ones have contracted a HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTION, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney regarding a potential claim. An injury lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation of HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions. d’Oliveira & Associates, P.C. is working with some of the leading lawyers in the country who are handling these cases.

Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates, P.C. at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.