Where The Needs Of Others Come First · Available 24x7 For Emergencies
We often make the point that when possible, it’s actually safer and more comfortable to be at home, with in-home personal attendants if necessary, than in the hospital. There are many reasons why that is best for many people, especially frail or elderly people.
We have suggested that families should have an in-home caregiver stay with their loved ones in the hospital to serve as an advocate, companion and witness. We have also published about the risks of healthcare-associated infections (which which have become so common that there is a well-known acronym for them, “HAIs”), which very are associated with stays in hospitals.
The Associated Press has just published an article that reinforces that point, and we provide excerpts from it below:
Ala hospital infections linked to filter problem
By ANNA McFALL, Associated Press Thu Apr 7, 6:57 pm ET
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A filtering problem in a medical laboratory was at the heart of an infection outbreak in six Alabama hospitals where nine patients died and 10 others were sickened after receiving intravenous feeding bags contaminated with bacteria, health officials said Thursday.
Officials want to know why a filtering system didn’t remove the organisms and prevent a health threat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is questioning if the filter was used correctly and whether it failed, Williamson said. “We are trying to identify where the weak point in the chain of infection control occurred,” said Williamson
Officials, however, say they may never know whether the infections caused the illnesses and deaths because the patients were so sick to begin with.
A judge scheduled a hearing for Friday.
For the entire story, see: Ala hospital infections linked to filter problem
Originally posted 2011-04-12 16:00:00.
