Hospital Infections Put Stroke Patients at Risk for Readmission

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Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers weigh in on hospital infections for stroke patients that could lead to readmission. According to a recently published article, stroke patients who have developed an infection are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital compared to other patients. The researchers found that urinary tract infections were among the most common types of infections, but others also contributed to the fact that stroke patients have a 20 percent higher risk of readmission, compared to other patients. These findings are significant because they bring attention to the importance of safety protocols and the measures healthcare professionals should take to prevent the spread of infections, particularly in stroke patients.

Ischemic strokes occur when a patient has a blockage in one of the arteries that leads to the brain. This reduces the amount of blood flow to the brain, which can cause numbness on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking, dizziness, and other symptoms. Ischemic strokes are the most common type of strokes, accounting for roughly 87 percent of all cases.

Highlights from the Study

When a stroke patient develops an infection while he or she is in the hospital, that patient is more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, even if the stroke he or she was being treated for was mild. Researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health reviewed the medical records of 319,317 stroke patients from the National Readmission Database to learn whether there was a connection between in-hospital infections and hospital readmissions within 30 days of being initially released. They found that stroke patients who developed an infection while they were in the hospital were associated with a 20 percent higher risk of readmission within a month.

Some of the common infections that can occur in hospital settings include pneumonia, and respiratory and urinary tract infections. Researchers found that urinary tract infections increased the risk of readmission within 30 days by 10 percent. This is likely because urinary tract infections are very common compared to other types of hospital infections.

The lead researcher of the study commented that ischemic stroke patients who develop a urinary tract infection, or any other type of infection while in the hospital, should be closely monitored by their healthcare providers. In addition, indwelling catheters should be avoided, and bladder ultrasounds should be performed to detect urinary retention. These proactive steps can help protect patients from developing an infection while they are in the hospital. As a result, it is less likely that they will be readmitted to the hospital for further treatment.

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Hospital Infections

If you or a loved one developed an infection while you were in the hospital for a stroke, it is in your best interest to contact the highly skilled Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Your healthcare providers have a responsibility to provide the best medical care, which includes preventing the spread of common infections that can cause complications in stroke patients.  We will thoroughly investigate the details of your case to determine whether there was any negligence involved. Our experienced legal team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve, ensuring that your rights are protected. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.