Clostridium difficile (C. Diff) is a type of bacteria that often causes a serious intestinal infection for individuals who are already in the hospital. Staying at the hospital increases the risk of contracting a C. diff infection, which is why victims often wonder if the infection was caused by some form of medical malpractice. If you were recently treated for C. diff and would like to know what your legal options are, contact a Columbus medical malpractice lawyer at O’Connor, Acianni & Levy. Our attorneys have helped many medical malpractice victims recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Your consultation with our attorneys is free and you will not be charged legal fees unless you receive compensation.
C. Diff Symptoms And Causes
C. diff originates in human feces and is spread by contact with contaminated feces. For example, if a patient in a hospital touches an object that was contaminated with C. diff and touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth, he or she may contract a C. diff infection. There are several other factors that put patients at higher risk of contracting a C. diff infection:- Long-term use of antibiotics
- Gastrointestinal tract surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Previous history of C. diff infections
- Advanced age
- Weakened immune system
- Watery diarrhea up to 12 times a day
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Pain or tenderness of the abdomen
- Stomach cramping
- Colon paralysis
- Intestinal bleeding
- Fever
- Unexplained weight loss
- Nausea
- Blood in the stool
When A C. Diff Infection Is Medical Malpractice
Hospitals are not automatically at fault when a patient contracts C. diff. Victims have the burden of showing medical malpractice caused the infection. Medical malpractice is a defined as a failure to provide care that meets accepted standards in the medical community. For example, if you can establish you contracted the infection because staff members failed to wash their hands, they could potentially be held liable for medical malpractice. Medical professionals or hospitals might also be held liable if you can prove they failed to do any of the following things:- Implement safe hand-washing procedures before checking on or treating patients, which includes washing with soap and water because C. diff is not prevented by alcohol-based sanitizers
- Order prolonged use of antibiotic regimens when the patient has risk factors for C. diff
- Properly clean hospital rooms or operating rooms where C. diff is known to be present
- Clean solid surfaces with bleach
