How Handwashing Prevents Patient Infections

Hospital-acquired infections are all too common, and quite often, they are preventable with simple measures. If you or a loved one has been hospitalized, you can serve as a patient advocate to reduce the risk of medical malpractice. It’s your right to ask that any healthcare provider who enters the room wash his or her hands prior to carrying out duties. It’s also highly advisable for family members of patients to wash their hands well before entering the patients’ rooms.

Handwashing can prevent a wide range of bacterial, viral, and other infections. The importance of this simple preventive measure is highlighted during National Handwashing Awareness Week from December 6 ^th through the 12 ^th in 2015. Healthcare providers are in contact with dozens of patients each day and can easily transmit microorganisms from one patient to the next. This can occur even if the healthcare worker wears sterile gloves. As with other forms of medical negligence, you could choose to consult a medical malpractice attorney if you believe that you’ve acquired an infection because a healthcare provider failed to follow handwashing protocol.

Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is a malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York with years of experience defending the rights of patients who have suffered from medical malpractice. You can reach our office at (516) 684-2900 to arrange a case review.