Maryland C.Difficle infection Claims

       

       Clostridium difficile colitis (also called C. difficile or C. diff) is an inflammation of the colon that affects tens of thousands of people every year in the country. C. difficile is a bacterium that can cause injuries that range from mild to life-threatening. You can get C. difficle from, paradoxically, antibiotics and it can also be passed from person to person.

The infection is most common in people who are taking antibiotics while in the hospital. It is especially common in older people in hospitals and nursing homes. At particularly risk for C. difficle are elderly nursing home patients who are not being properly cared. C. difficile is endemic to nursing homes because the C. difficile bacterium is often spread by the feces of those infected.

C. difficile has bedeviled hospitals for years. But the number of C. difficile cases in this country has risen and so have the number of medical malpractice cases involving C. difficile. One common problem is the continued use of anti-peristaltic medications like Imodium or Lomotil. Both are contraindicated so if a doctor sees signs and symptoms that the patient might have C. diff, the doctors must stop prescribing that medication. If they don't, it can lead to toxic megacolon which can lead to the need for a total colectomy or death.

Malpractice and nursing home claims arise when doctors or caregivers see the symptoms but don't order a C. diff test or initiate empiric therapy.
       Our medical malpractice lawyers handle C. diff and other infection medical malpractice and nursing home cases in Maryland. If you have been injured as the result of medical or hospital malpractice or negligence, call our Maryland hospital malpractice lawyers at 800-553-8082 or click here for a free consultation.    

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