How to Avoid a Tennessee Hospital-Acquired Infection

The fact that hospital-acquired infections number about 1.7 million total and kill an estimated 99,000 Americans each year is enough to scare anyone. Hospitals are supposed to be places of treatment and healing. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

It is frustrating to know that most, if not all, of these infections could be avoided if hospitals just took the time and energy to implement preventative programs. The good news? Some are.

According to a 2011 Consumer Reports study of 1,068 American hospitals, 13%, or 138 reported a central-line infection rate of zero. That’s right – it is more than possible to stop these senseless death rates.

How can hospital-acquired infections be avoided?

First, it is up to the hospitals themselves.

• Each hospital must commit itself to eradicating all preventable hospital infections.
• Hospitals should be using Peter Pronovost’s (intensive care specialist at John’s Hopkins Hospital) checklist if a central line is inserted. The use of this checklist saved 1,500 lives and $100 million in Michigan over 18 months.
• In addition, hospitals should stress the importance of teamwork among all employees, from aides to surgeons.

Next, government agencies, state governments and watchdog organizations can help.

• Since 2004, 26 states and the District of Columbia have adopted laws that require hospitals to keep track of and publically report their infection rates.
• Medicare has changed its policies. Hospitals will not be paid for infections that were avoidable – and, these same hospitals cannot bill the patients either.
• Watchdog organizations like RID (Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths) work tirelessly to save lives by providing information and putting pressure on governments to stop the needless deaths.

Everyone in Tennessee has legal rights when it comes to being harmed or even killed by avoidable hospital infections. While some hospitals have very low infection rates, others have up to 15 times the national average.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hospital-acquired infection, contact the Memphis medical malpractice attorneys at Bailey & Greer for information and advice. Call toll free at 901-680-9777 or fill out the confidential form on this page.