Urology Patients in Aiken, SC May Have Been Exposed to Infections During Surgery

If you have undergone a surgical procedure at an Aiken, South Carolina facility in the last year, you could be at risk of an infection caused by the improper cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments. Based upon information and belief, certain surgical patients in and near Aiken, SC have received letters from a physician, indicating that a certain instrument (or instruments) were not properly cleaned or disinfected properly. This could lead patients to develop infections based on exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

How do I know if I have an infection?

If you have had a surgical procedure in an Aiken, SC facility, and contracted an infection, it may have been preventable. There is no indication at this time how many people may be been affected.

What are the signs of infection?

Because no information has been released about what kind of infection may be possible, the signs and symptoms may vary. However, these are the most common indicators of a blood-infection:

1. Spots, discoloration or inflammation around the incision site
2. Fever, aches, and other flu-like symptoms
3. Irregular heartbeats, including increased or decreased heart rate
4. Difficulty urinating
5. Dizziness, vertigo, disorientation or feeling unbalanced
6. Nausea or vomiting
7. Chills
8. Difficulty breathing
9. Low blood pressure

What happens if I have an untreated infection?

If you have an undiagnosed and untreated infection, you can develop sepsis, a life-threatening complication. Sepsis occurs when your body, in its fight against the infection, triggers an inflammation. Left untreated, it can result in organ failure and tissue damage, and it can be fatal.

I developed an infection after a procedure; do I have a malpractice case?

You might; it depends on the circumstances. In order to build a successful medical malpractice case against a physician or healthcare facility, you must be able to prove the following:

1. A doctor/patient relationship existed, and as such, the doctor owed you a duty of care.
2. The doctor was negligent in your treatment or diagnosis.
3. The negligence of the doctor led to your injury or illness.
4. That illness or injury led to specific damages, such as lost time from work, increased medical bills, or pain and suffering.

When you meet with your lawyer, make sure to bring copies of your medical records. Under the law you have a right to this information, and it must be provided to you.

Who is liable for my injuries?

Aside from the physician and the facility, you may be able to make a claim against the manufacturer of the surgical instruments. This is called a product liability claim. You should speak to you attorney about potential recourses that are available to you.

McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC is currently pursuing claims on behalf of those who have developed infections and illnesses caused by improperly sterilized and/or disinfected surgical tools. If you live in or around Aiken, SC, have recently undergone a surgical procedure, and have developed an infection as a result, we may be able to help you. Please call 803-327-7800 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced South Carolina medical malpractice lawyer from our firm.