Medical Liability Consultants, Inc. Glossary Medical Malpractice

Unsanitary Conditions Hospitals, nursing homes, and all facilities where medical care is provided are required to adhere to certain levels of cleanliness. Failure to maintain a safe and sanitary environment for patients makes them more vulnerable to infection. Sadly, however, unsanitary conditions in hospitals and other healthcare facilities is a growing problem in the United States. In fact, studies have found that unsanitary conditions represent one of the leading causes of infections and diseases acquired in health care facilities every year. If you or a loved one has suffered serious infection or other harm as a result of unsanitary conditions in a medical facility, it is important to understand that you have legal rights. Please contact us today to learn more about your rights and options. Unsanitary Conditions: Causes & Consequences Hospitals can be unsanitary while outwardly appearing to be perfectly clean. In one study, approximately 50 percent of the thousands of samples taken from different intensive care units contained harmful bacteria and viruses. Unsanitary conditions typically arise because of: Improper sterilization of equipment Contagious or sick staff on duty Unclean or improper clothes, gloves, face masks, and other medical garments Failure to disinfect and sterilize work surfaces Failure to wash hands sufficiently Failure to change bed sheets or chair covers Failure to collect and store hazardous materials in a safe manner Unsanitary conditions can be extremely hazardous to patients who are likely to have weakened immune systems, causing them to potentially suffer serious infection or worse. Hospitals and healthcare facilities have a responsibility to ensure patient safety by adhering to state and federal health codes. When unsanitary conditions arise, patients may suffer unnecessarily.

Welcome   |   About us   |   Services   |   Contact us   |   Questionnaire   |   Example of cases   |   Glossary   |   Confidentiality