Healthcare-Associated MRSA Infections
Most people are aware of skin infections caused by the bacterium commonly nicknamed “staph.” While most staph infections can be treated with antibiotics, some forms of these bacteria have mutated so that they are no longer susceptible to traditional antibiotic treatment. These forms are called MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. If MRSA develops in a healthcare facility, it is termed HA-MRSA, or healthcare-associated MRSA.
MRSA can be deadly, especially in those who are already weakened by injuries or diseases. Thus, it is important that healthcare facility staff work to protect patients from this bacterium by using properly sterilized equipment. If a nurse or doctor has failed in this duty to you, resulting in HA-MRSA infection, you can fight back. Contact a tenacious Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorney from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 610-667-7511 for more information.
What is MRSA?
Bacteria such as staph can become resistant to antibiotics when individuals undergo antibiotic treatments that do not actually kill all of the pathogens. Instead, the ones that survive have a resistance to the antibiotic, which they can then pass to future generations. This is how some forms of the staph bacterium have developed a resistance to the antibiotic methicillin.
Complications from HA-MRSA
HA-MRSA often attacks internal areas of the body rather than remaining on the skin. These bacteria can enter the body through surgical incisions, artificial joints, and medical tubing such as catheters. From here, it can utilize the bloodstream to spread throughout the entire body. The bacteria can burrow deeper into your body, infecting areas such as:
- Joints
- Heart
- Lungs
- Bones
In some cases, individuals may have to undergo amputation in order to prevent the bacteria from spreading further through the body.
Contact Us
HA-MRSA is a serious problem in the healthcare community. Therefore, it is vital that medical professionals work to reduce MRSA cases by using proper sterilization techniques. If you have suffered from HA-MRSA due to medical negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To discuss the facts of your case and your options for seeking justice, contact a Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer from Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 610-667-7511 today.