6 Ways To Be A Safe Patient

In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, we would like to share this infographic from the CDC on what patients can do to help prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the hospital setting. We've reported on HAIs before, see our post: Tracking Infection Control in U.S. Hospitals.

According to the CDC,

On any given day, approximately one in 25 U.S. patients contract at least one infection during the course of their hospital care.

Be an informed and empowered patient and play an active role in your care including questioning your healthcare team about infection control.

You can download this infographic from the CDC.

6 Ways To Be A Safe Patient  

1. Speak Up. Talk to your doctor about infection and what they are doing to protect you.

• If you have a catheter, ask each day if it is necessary. 
• Ask your doctor how he/she prevents surgical site infections

2. Wash Hands. Make sure everyone cleans their hands before touching you.

3. Monitor Antibiotics. Ask if a test will be done to make sure the right antibiotic is prescribed.

4. Watch for Infection. Some skin infections, such as MRSA, appear as redness, pain, or drainage at an IV catheter site or surgery site. Sometimes these symptoms come with a fever. Tell your doctor if you have these symptoms.

5. Monitor Diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you have 3 or more diarrhea episodes in 24 hours.

6. Vaccinate. Get vaccinated against flu and other infections to avoid complications.

Lubin & Meyer PC - New England's Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law
Attorneys practicing in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island

Sepsis: Know the Signs and Symptoms

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to an infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Sometimes called blood poisoning, it can be caused by a seemingly minor infection due to a scrape or cut. It is often the cause of death of people suffering from other diseases (see Sepsis and Other Diseases). For instance, people with cancer can die as the result of the actual tumor or from an associated condition such as sepsis. Anyone can get sepsis but children and older adults tend to be more vulnerable.

Know the signs and symptoms of Sepsis

There is no single sign or symptom of sepsis. It is a combination of symptoms. And because sepsis is the result of an infection, symptoms can include signs of infection such as diarrhea, vomiting, sore throat, etc.) in addition to ANY of these symptoms:

    • Shivering, fever, or very cold
    • Extreme pain or discomfort
    • Clammy or sweaty skin
    • Confusion or disorientation
    • Short of breath
    •  High heart rate.

What to do if you suspect Sepsis

Sepsis should be treated as a medical emergency (as quickly as possible) with antibiotics and fluids. If you think you or a loved one has sepsis you should be clear and firm that you suspect sepsis and demand urgent attention.

• Call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately if you have any signs or symptoms of an infection or sepsis. This is a medical emergency.
• It’s important that you say, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SEPSIS.”
• If you are continuing to feel worse or not getting better in the days after surgery, ask your doctor about sepsis. Sepsis is a common complication of people hospitalized for other reasons. 

Sources and for more information on sepsis, see the CDC website and the Sepsis Alliance website.

Failure to diagnose sepsis or an infection leading to sepsis can sometimes lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit.

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Attorneys licensed and practicing in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

FDA Updates Safety Communication Regarding Duodenoscopes

The FDA has issued an updated Safety Communication on the cleaning of medical scopes believed to have caused the spread of a deadly "superbug" at UCLA Medical Center. The Safety Communication, Design of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Duodenoscopes May Impede Effective Cleaning, was issued February 19, 2015, and has been updated twice since then.

The purpose of the communication is to "raise awareness among health care professionals, including those working in reprocessing units in health care facilities, that the complex design of ERCP endoscopes (also called duodenoscopes) may impede effective reprocessing. Reprocessing is a detailed, multistep process to clean and disinfect or sterilize reusable devices."

FDA Warns about Medical Scopes after ‘Superbug’ Hits California Hospital http://t.co/h9rklMvtaB #duodenoscopes
— Lubin and Meyer, PC (@LubinandMeyer) March 5, 2015

The FDA Safety Communication on Duodenoscopes reads in part:

"Duodenoscopes are flexible, lighted tubes that are threaded through the mouth, throat, stomach, and into the top of the small intestine (the duodenum). They contain a hollow channel that allows the injection of contrast dye or the insertion of other instruments to obtain tissue samples for biopsy or treat certain abnormalities. Unlike most other  endoscopes, duodenoscopes also have a movable “elevator” mechanism at the tip. The elevator mechanism changes the angle of the accessory exiting the accessory channel, which allows the instrument to access the ducts to treat problems with fluid drainage.

Although the complex design of duodenoscopes improves the efficiency and effectiveness of ERCP, it causes challenges for cleaning and high-level disinfection. Some parts of the scopes may be extremely difficult to access and effective cleaning of all areas of the duodenoscope may not be possible."

Recommendations for patients include:

• Discuss the benefits and risks of procedures using duodenoscopes with your physician. For most patients, the benefits of ERCP outweigh the risks of infection. ERCP often treats life-threatening conditions that can lead to serious health consequences if not addressed.
• Ask your doctor what to expect following the procedure and when to seek medical attention. Following ERCP, many patients may experience mild symptoms such as a sore throat or mild abdominal discomfort. Call your doctor if, following your procedure, you have a fever or chills, or other symptoms that may be a sign of a more serious problem (such as chest pain, severe abdominal pain, trouble swallowing or breathing, nausea and vomiting, or black or tarry stools).

Read the full safety communication on the FDA website.

For more reporting on the topic, see the LA Times and Washington Post.

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Lubin & Meyer PC - New England's Leader in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Law. Attorneys practicing in MA, NH and RI.