Hospital Dangers and Risks: How to Survive a Hospital Stay

The horror stories that we've all heard about hospital dangers, and the inherent risks of that environment are true. Whatever the issue might be that brought you to the hospital, you can count on the fact that you will also face multiple health hazards during your stay. As a patient, you will probably never be told of these risks, so it is important to be informed before your hospital visit.

Many people equate a hospital environment with being sterile and germ free. Nothing could be further from the truth. Hospital infections are the 4th leading cause of death in the United States. Numerous people have entered the hospital for what should have been routine surgery, only to die from hospital acquired infections. Betsy McCaughey (former lieutenant governor of New York) and founder of the Committee To Reduce Infection Deaths, says that hospital acquired infections kill as many people in the U. S. annually, as AIDS, breast cancer, and auto accidents combined. Very few states require hospitals to report their infection rates, or to inform an unsuspecting public. The problem is veiled in secrecy, with many hospitals not willing to spend the money or time required to correct the situation. Additional education and instruction would greatly lower the incidence of infection. Many doctors and nurses are not using proper hygiene. Hand-washing is essential between patients, in order to prevent germs from being carried from one person to another, but many health care practitioners do not like to wash their hands this frequently, and cause patients to be at risk. Even doctors' ties, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs can transmit dangerous germs within a hospital. A patient has little recourse in some of these situations, but do not be afraid to ask a nurse or doctor to wash their hands before they touch you. You may be immediately labeled as "bossy", but better bossy than dead. (Statistics tell us that over half of the doctors who come to your hospital room have not washed their hands.)

If you are the caregiver for someone who has had surgery, insist that others wash their hands before entering the hospital room, particularly if they are in a critical care situation. I had a friend who was in the hospital with a brain injury, and his mom made sure that everyone who came in contact with him, washed their hands thoroughly before entering the room. Also, as a visitor to a hospital, make sure that you wash your hands, not only when entering, but when exiting the building. Germs are on many hospital room surfaces such as bed rails, chairs, call buttons, bathrooms, etc. Believe me, these days this is not being a germophobic, when you consider all that you can be exposed to in the hospital, that is resistant to medicine. We were required to wash our hands, and put on gloves when we visited my step-dad.

I have found the general hygiene in our local hospital to be horrific. I have observed bandages left on the floor, patients' plastic wash basins stacked inside each other, and many other unsanitary hazards. It may be safer to bring your wash basin out of a shared bathroom, in order to store it in your bedside table drawer. (That is what I did when my mom was hospitalized.)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.7 million health care related infections occur every year, and that they are a contributing factor in 99,000 deaths annually. Many of these infections occur in surgical wounds, the lungs, the urinary tract, and in the blood. A great many hospitals are overrun with a type of staph infection (MRSA) which is resistant to many antibiotics.

The risk of hospital acquired infections became a reality for my family about 3 years ago. My stepfather died after post-surgery (triple bypass) complications at our local hospital. But it wasn't the surgery that killed him. (He came through that with flying colors.) He died as a result of hospital acquired infections-- pneumonia, serratia, and staph (MRSA.) (And also from what I will always consider hospital negligence.) Our family was very pro-active, but our voices were not heard, and we felt helpless to fight the system. There was no other hospital in our community, and his condition had deteriorated so badly, that he could not have been moved any distance. It was a hospital nightmare-- one that never should have occurred.

The risk of pneumonia is quite high also. This is what ultimately took my dad's life. While there are risks of picking up these bacteria in the hospital environment, there is also a danger of taking shallow breaths after surgery, and lying flat for too long. Always breathe deeply following surgery, and remember to walk the hospital halls as soon as possible, to avoid fluid collecting in your lungs.

Urinary tract infections are probably the most common hospital risk, when a catheter is used. The sooner you can come off the catheter, the better, as the rate of infection greatly increases after 6 days.

Medication errors are another huge hospital risk. Another statistic for you--at least 450,000 injuries occur each year as a result of medication errors in hospitals, according to an Institute of Medicine 2006 report. But more recent estimates put the figure at closer to 1.5 million hospital medication errors annually. To prevent such errors from happening to you, always make sure that all medications and dosages are correct. While you are often at the mercy of the nurses, don't be afraid to ask what drug you are being given, and what it is for. If you have any reservations at all, ask questions. It's your health after all, and sometimes it takes courage to protect yourself by speaking up.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is another hospital danger. It occurs when a blood clot develops (usually in the leg veins) and breaks off, cutting off blood flow to the lungs. Known as a pulmonary embolism, it can be fatal. Again it is important to be mobile, as this is most often caused by decreased mobility, which can cut off the circulation. Blood then pools in the legs, and causes clots. Surgical trauma is also a source of blood clots, and sometimes blood thinners are necessary, as well as those special hose that everyone hates. The hospital also has machines that stimulate blood flow to the legs.

Anesthesia complications are another hospital risk. Patients generally meet with their anesthesiologist prior to surgery, to report any known allergies, and to discuss appropriate options. Any past negative experiences with anesthesia should be reported.

As you can see, it is important to be observant in the hospital setting, and to be actively involved in getting the best possible care for your family, or yourself. While many hospital situations are totally out of your control, there are various things that you should be aware of, that you can control. If you are unsure about a procedure, ask questions. And don't stop until you get a satisfactory answer. Many years ago, my step-dad was in a hospital in Atlanta, for back surgery. When they came to prep him, he noticed they were going into private areas that had never been prepped before for previous back surgeries. When he inquired about it, he found out that they thought he was another patient, and they were prepping him for hemorrhoid surgery! (Honestly, you can't make these things up.)

Even with all your best efforts, things can happen in the hospital, but you will feel empowered, when you have knowledge about some of these risks. It can be a life or death situation at times.

Hospitals are no longer a place to go to get a little rest, or to recuperate after surgery. They can be dangerous to your health, and as soon as possible, it is wise to leave that environment. Hopefully, a little bit of education, information, and precaution can help you get out alive.

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Health/Story?id=1213789&page=1
http://www.qualityhealth.com/psp/content/path/body/feeds/news_read.jspa?contentId=23145&rf=26035&mc=MTUwMjMyMjg.