Surgery is supposed to fix a problem. Whether you are having knee surgery or heart surgery, the ultimate goal is for you to be healthier and in less pain after the operation. In some cases, however, patients find that a post-surgical infection leaves them in worse shape.
Staph bacteria live on all of our skin and are often harmless. Yet when it enters the body through an open wound, it can lead to dangerous complications. If you have developed a staph infection after surgery, including MRSA, it may be a sign of medical negligence. Our Vero Beach medical malpractice lawyers can help you get the money that you deserve for your injuries.
At Gould Cooksey Fennell, we offer high-quality legal representation to clients who have been injured by medical malpractice. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we get money for you. Contact our law firm today to talk to a member of our legal team about your case.
The Dangers of Post-Surgical Infections
Staph infections are any type of infection caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. Staph is commonly found on your body and often does not cause harm. However, staph infections can cause serious illness in certain situations. If staph bacteria get into the bloodstream, heart, lungs, bones, or joints, the infection can be deadly.
Many types of staph infections are relatively minor. This can include skin infections such as impetigo, folliculitis, boils, or carbuncles. However, if a staph infection moves deeper than the skin, it can cause symptoms throughout the body, such as:
- Fever and chills
- A change in skin color
- Swollen, warm, and/or painful skin
- Blistered skin
- Malaise
- Serious pain
If staph bacteria enter the bloodstream, it can cause a serious infection known as bacteremia. This infection can cause an overwhelming immune response, known as sepsis. If not treated early and appropriately, sepsis can lead to septic shock, which can be fatal. Signs of bacteremia include:
- Fever or chills
- Fast heart rate
- Skin that feels cold or sweaty
- Fast breathing
- New confusion or disorientation
- Severe pain
Staph infections can also cause conditions such as toxic shock syndrome, which is associated with tampon use, skin wounds, and surgery. In some cases, staph bacteria can infect a person’s joints or artificial joints, causing swelling, fever, and severe pain (known as septic arthritis). Staph bacteria are also linked to endocarditis (an infection of the inner linings of the heart), pneumonia, food poisoning, cellulitis, mastitis, and osteomyelitis (bone infections).
There are several different types of staph bacteria that can cause infections, including those that are resistant to antibiotics. This includes:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
- Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA)
- Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA)
Staph infections can be dangerous if they go beyond a skin infection. This is particularly true for people with health conditions such as diabetes, HIV, kidney failure, and those with medical devices inside the body. People undergoing chemotherapy or dialysis or who regularly take steroids for a medical condition are also at greater risk of developing complications from a staph infection.
Certain types of staph bacteria, such as MRSA, are more frequently found in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. That is why MRSA is often referred to as a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). Hospitals can reduce the risk of MRSA for patients by following strict infection control and environmental cleaning protocols.
Staph infections are diagnosed by taking a sample of the wound or other body fluid that may be infected (such as through a blood or urine sample). Imaging tests such as MRIs and CT scans can be used to determine if a patient has complications from a staph infection. This may include an echocardiogram if there is any concern that the infection has spread to the heart (endocarditis).
Treatment for staph infections includes addressing the cause by prescribing antibiotics. Typically, providers will select an antibiotic based on the specific strain of staph bacteria that is causing the infection. For more serious infections, it may be necessary to remove a medical device, surgically remove infected tissue, or offer supportive care such as breathing support or intravenous fluids. Doctors should be particularly careful to watch for any signs of sepsis.
Staph bacteria can be harmless. Even a staph skin infection might resolve quickly with minimal treatment. However, if the staph bacteria get into your system, then it can become far more serious. If you have developed a staph infection, particularly after a hospital stay or surgery, reach out to our law firm to talk to a Vero Beach medical malpractice attorney.
When Are Staph and MRSA Infections After Surgery a Sign of Medical Malpractice?
Staph bacteria live on our skin and in our noses. For this reason, you can acquire a staph infection from something as simple as scratching a bug bite, which can allow the staph bacteria to get into the open wound. However, if you developed a staph or MRSA infection after surgery, it may be a sign that the doctor or hospital was negligent in some way.
If you are diagnosed with a hospital-acquired staph infection like MRSA after surgery, it is very likely because the hospital, facility, or healthcare provider was negligent in some way. This may include:
- Failure to adhere to cleanliness standards
- Failure to properly sterilize surgical equipment or tools
- Poor sanitary protocols, such as not washing hands or wearing gloves before examining incisions after surgery
Remember, staph bacteria live on all of our skin. That means that when you have an opening in your skin after surgery, it is incredibly important that doctors, nurses, and other staff are incredibly careful to follow infection control protocols to avoid introducing staph bacteria into the wound. In hospitals, where MRSA is more rampant, proper sanitation is even more critical.
If you are diagnosed with a staph or MRSA infection after surgery, it does not automatically mean that the hospital or a medical provider is liable. You will have to establish that the facility or healthcare professional was negligent in some way. This requires proof of the following:
- The physician or medical facility owed you a duty to provide care that meets accepted medical standards. In other words, the hospital or doctor must provide you with the same level of care that a similarly-trained professional (or similar facility) would provide. For example, a surgeon has a duty to follow certain infection control procedures before operating or examining a wound after surgery, such as scrubbing up with antibacterial soap and wearing gloves.
- The duty of care was breached (violated). In a staph or MRSA infection case, this could be because the hospital failed to follow standard protocols to provide a sterile environment. Alternatively, a doctor could breach the duty of care by misdiagnosing the infection and not providing treatment early enough to prevent complications.
- This violation directly caused your infection. This element can be tricky to prove because it can be difficult to pinpoint the source of a MRSA infection. Medical records, hospital documentation, and witness testimony can be helpful to prove this point.
- You suffered losses (damages) as a result, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our Vero Beach hospital negligence lawyers are skilled at investigating staph and MRSA infection cases to determine whether a patient developed the infection because of the hospital or staff’s negligence. We will work hard to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
In a medical malpractice case, you may be entitled to money for all of your losses. Depending on the facts of your case, this could include money for your medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, emotional distress, scarring, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. While this compensation won’t make you whole again, it can provide you with the financial support that you need so that you can focus on your healing.
While not every staph infection is caused by medical negligence, post-surgical infections (especially MRSA) raise a red flag. We will thoroughly examine the facts of your case to determine if the facility or a healthcare provider may be responsible for your infection or for failing to diagnose and treat it in a timely manner. We will then work tirelessly to get you the compensation that you deserve for your losses.
If you have developed a staph infection after surgery, we are here to help. Reach out to our law offices to schedule a free consultation with a Florida medical malpractice attorney.
Did You Contract an Infection After Surgery? Give Us a Call.
Staph infections can be serious, especially when they get into your bloodstream or other parts of your body beyond the skin. If you are diagnosed with a staph or MRSA infection after surgery, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Our law firm can help you with the process.
At Gould Cooksey Fennell, we understand the complexities of medical malpractice claims, including those related to staph infections after surgery. Our goal is to help our clients get top dollar for their injuries, helping them move forward after a serious staph or MRSA infection. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with a Florida medical malpractice lawyer, give us a call at 772-758-8756 or fill out our online contact form.
