Medical Liability Consultants, Inc. Glossary Medical Malpractice

Surgical Infection Surgical infection (the infection of a surgical site) is a relatively common surgical complication, with an estimated 60,000 yearly occurrences. Some procedures carry a greater risk of surgical infection than others. In fact, certain surgeries have a surgical infection rate of up to 20 percent. Although steps have been taken in recent years to reduce hospital-sustained injuries, progress is slow and surgical infections remain a serious problem. If you or a loved one has suffered severe injury or death because of a surgical infection, you may be eligible to recover damages for your losses. Please contact us today to discuss your case with a caring and experienced medical malpractice lawyer. The Causes of Surgical Infections Infections occur when the surgical site is exposed, making the patient more vulnerable to harmful bacteria and other contagion. Some of the more common ways a doctor may increase the risk of a surgical infection during a procedure include: Failure to adequately surgically seal wounds, both internal and on the skin surface Failure to use properly sterilized surgical instruments Poor preoperative preparation Operating in unsanitary conditions Failure to prescribe adequate anti-infection medication In most cases, a physician can prevent surgical infection by exercising due caution in the planning and execution of the procedure. The Consequences of Surgical Infections The effects of a surgical infection vary greatly depending on the infected area. Obviously, a foot infection and a brain infection carry different risks, but both can be extremely serious. Almost always, surgical infections have serious consequences for the patient, including: the amputation of a limb, fever, scarring or disfigurement, intense pain, paralysis, and even death. In addition to physical and emotional consequences associated with surgical infections, patients also often suffer financial consequences. On average, a surgical infection increases a patient's hospital stay by seven days, which causes extra missed work and further medical expenses.

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