Article/Case Law Search Paper

Name: Ashley A Cox

HCS 430 -Legal Issues in Health Law and Compliance

Instructor: Patrick Nicovic

Date: April 1, 2013

Article Case Law Search

Health care providers and organizations have a legal and an ethical responsibility to provide protection to patients against infectious diseases. Health care facilities whom fail to provide efficient infection control precautions puts patient's safety at risk resulting in a SARS outbreak. “Improper sterilization of equipment exposed patients to diseases including HIV, Hepatitis, and bloodstream infections that risk patient safety” (Bailey & Ries, 2010, p. 141). A hospital, organization, or health care facility acquired infection exhibits signs as little as three days after a patient is admitted. Infections that occur in a hospital are defined as Nosocomial infections. Ineffective infection control can create safety concerns for patients because the result in most cases is the patient dying. Infections obtained in a medical facility are usually resistant to antibiotics. “Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are major causes of morbidity and mortality On the basis of data from death certificates, these infections are the 10th leading cause of death in the United States” (Wisplinghoff, Bischoff, Tallent, Seifert, Wenzel & Edmond, 2004, p. 309). Many lawsuits happen because of poor safety precautions.

“Health Grades Inc., a U.S. company that evaluates safety and quality concerns in health facilities, reported that rates of hospital-acquired infections in the United States rose by 20% between 2000 and 2003, contributing to around 9,500 deaths” (Bailey & Ries, 2010, p. 141). Health care facilities and organizations have a legal obligation to protect patients from Nosocomial infection or any other harm while receiving medical care. When the