Postoperative Infection in Medical Malpractice

Those who undergo surgery are often at risk for a postoperative infection in the tissues where the incision took place and the surrounding area. Such an infection can occur within one day or more after a surgical procedure. The most common occurrence of such infections is between five and ten days after surgery. These wound infections are caused by microbes which generate in the area due to a variety of reasons, such as inadequate preparation for surgery, contaminating factors or agents after surgery, improper antibiotics following surgery, or a patient who has a compromised immune system who is unable to adequately combat infection. According to Medical Disability Advisor, a website devoted to health care, a degree of contamination will be present in any surgical incision. How it is handled and the ability of the patient's immune system in fighting it will play major factors in whether an infection occurs and how dangerous it may become.

Per findings published by the Medical Disability Advisor, two million hospital infections occur in the U.S. yearly, with 14 to 16 percent of them being postoperative. More than three-quarters of the deaths of surgical patients lead back to such infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that adequate preventive measures could lower postoperative infections by one third, which would save thousands of patients from harm. Doctors, nursing staff, and other medical professionals who are negligent in both preoperative and postoperative procedure may be liable for damages to patients who develop infections which could have been prevented.

Get Help from a Qualified Attorney

Going through the trauma of a surgery is difficult enough. Being faced with an additional medical crisis following such a procedure can be even more disturbing. If you believe you or a loved one has suffered health damage such as a postoperative infection due to medical errors, you may have a medical malpractice case. These types of cases are often difficult and complex, requiring the skills and knowledge of an attorney who focuses on them. Roane Law which serves clients throughout the state of North Carolina is well-versed in personal injury and medical malpractice law.

Contact the firm to arrange to speak with a North Carolina medical malpractice attorney about your legal concerns and questions today. You can be confident that they will do everything possible to help you obtain the rightful compensation to which you may be entitled.