Surgical Infections a Huge Problem
It’s not news that surgeries can result in infections.
More than 250,000 patients develop infections in hospitals across Canada every year. 8000 to 9000 patients will die from the infections they develop in the hospital.
Each year, as many as 250,000 Canadians suffer from hospital acquired infections, resulting in up to 12,000 annual deaths. It is estimated that over 30% of hospital acquired infections are preventable. Proper hand hygiene is the single most important way to prevent the spread of infections.
But how do you ensure that your doctor or nurse has washed their hands before they attend to you? See for example my article: Did You Wash Your Hands!? A Lesson in Tact
I have written before about the dangers of hospital acquired infections: Nova Scotia Medical Errors: C- difficile Infections kill 4 in Cape Breton Hospitals
Misdiagnosis Leads to Amputation
A recent ruling from the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta confirms that prompt diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death (or in this case, life and limb).
Alberta farmer Wayne Forsberg has been awarded 1.5 million dollars in compensation as a result of medical negligence on the part of emergency room physician Dr. Dadi Naidoo.
Hospital Acquired Infections
I recently posted about the dangers of hospital acquired infections like C-difficile and MRSA.
The recent series of C-Difficile infections in Cape Breton hospitals has brought some media attention to the problem of Hospital Acquired Infections.
I was doing some research on a case and came across information of a new antibiotic resistant “Superbug” that is being found in hospitals.
Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumonia or CRKP is an antibiotic-resistant organism that can cause infections in health care settings like hospitals and nursing homes. The bacteria is often associated with pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis.
Cape Breton District Health Authority has stated that 21 patients in two Cape Breton Hospitals have tested positive for the bacteria C. difficile. Four people have died as a result of the infections.
Hospital Acquired Infections a Deadly Problem
Nosocomial infections (Hospital acquired infections) are the fourth largest killer in Canada.
Almost 100,000 Medical Mistakes Each Year in Canada
The Canadian Medical Association has determined that over 87,000 patients in Canada suffer an adverse event (medical error or mistake) each year.
The same study determined that more than 24,000 people die each year due to medical errors.
Why Did You Write The Book?
I get asked that a lot. There’s a ton of work that goes into writing a book about medical malpractice claims. Most books about the topic are written by lawyers, for lawyers, and they are pretty dry reading.
I wanted to write a book that the average person could pick up and read and come away better educated and informed about the medical malpractice claims process and what is involved in filing a medical malpractice claim.
Most of my medical malpractice clients have suffered catastrophic injuries that prevent them from being able to return to work or, in the case of infants and children, will prevent them from ever being able to work.
Economic Losses from Medical Malpractice
There are 2 ways to calculate economic losses suffered as a result of medical malpractice. The court will have to determine whether you have suffered an actual income loss or whether you have suffered a diminished earning capacity.
The latest edition of my book, The Consumer’s Guide to Medical Malpractice Claims in Canada: Why 98% of Canadian Medical Malpractice Victims Never Get a Penny in Compensation, is now on its way back from the printers.
You can get a copy of the book by contacting me through this blog. However, I am going to be posting excerpts from the book over the next few weeks to give you a taste of the information contained in the book.
Lynn Butler sent me a very kind note after reading a copy of the book. Here is what she had to say:
