Hidden Dangers: How Unsterilized Medical Equipment Causes Infections

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), millions of people in the USA have been suffering from Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), which have become widespread over the past several years. These infections are often spread by improper cleaning and unsterilized medical equipment.

Let’s explore key ways unsterilized medical equipment causes infections, provide examples of infections, and discuss measures to prevent them.

Four ways unsterilized medical equipment causes infections

1. Microbes

Microbes grow on medical instruments due to incomplete sterilization and disinfection, which can lead to person-to-person transmission through contaminated devices. E. coli and the hepatitis B virus are common examples of bacteria transmission. For example, tuberculosis has been found to be transmitted via bronchoscopes. Endoscopes are another unique device that’s been found to spread infections from one patient to another.

2. Breaching body barriers

Contaminated medical devices cause infections when they come in contact with an open wound, surgical site, or mucosal lining, directly introducing pathogens into the body. The surgical site then becomes a harbor for the growth of microorganisms. For example, intravenous infusion devices are common conductors of those microorganisms and cause infection.

3. Biofilm formation

Environmental contamination causes the growth of biofilm on medical devices. Bacteria form a protective layer around medical equipment, making it hard to remove. According to researchers, using contaminated water to wash medical devices leads to colonization and biofilm development on critical medical devices that were previously sterilized.

4. Cross-contamination

Cross-contamination occurs when a sterile medical instrument comes in contact with contaminated hands, uncleaned surfaces, and infected instruments. It compromises patients’ safety, exposing them to hospital-borne infections and other health risks.

Examples of unsterilized medical equipment causing infections

Respiratory tract infections

Inadequately cleaned respiratory equipment, such as ventilators or nebulizers, can harbor harmful microorganisms. These pathogens can be inhaled from one patient to another, causing respiratory infections.

Bloodstream infections

Contaminated syringes, intravenous infusion lines, and needles can introduce harmful viruses directly into the bloodstream of patients. This can cause severe conditions like sepsis and must be treated immediately as it can become life-threatening.

Surgical site infections (SSI)

Poorly sterilized surgical instruments can introduce bacteria and pathogens to the patient through surgical sites, causing pain and delayed recovery.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections

Unclean catheters can introduce bacteria through the urinary tract, causing infections. These infections are painful and can lead to kidney damage and recurring UTIs if not addressed promptly.

How to prevent infections from unsterilized medical equipment

Staff education

Educating staff on handling medical equipment is crucial to preventing infections. Regular training should be held to ensure all staff members understand the importance of procedures for sterilization, as well as the consequences of non-compliance.

Strictly following sterilization protocols

Sterilization protocols should be followed without cutting corners. Adhering to guidelines established by organizations like the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) is crucial to maintaining sterilization procedures for equipment and keeping detailed records of all processes.

Proper handling techniques

Improper handling of the equipment can also lead to contamination. Staff should be well aware of proper handling techniques when transporting, using, and storing medical equipment. This includes wearing gloves, using trays, and avoiding unnecessary exposure to the environment.

Regular equipment inspection

Regular inspections should be scheduled to ensure staff diligently follows standard protocols and guidelines. Medical institutes, hospitals, and clinics should schedule visits to inspect damaged, reprocessed, and regularly used instruments to check the overall sterilization process to uphold guidelines.

What are the consequences of poor sterilization

Patients exposed to unsterilized medical equipment face life-threatening infections such as sepsis, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), and surgical site infections (SSIs). There are a range of consequences that arise from poor sterilization, but here are three of the most common:

• Delayed recovery: Patients are required to stay in the hospital longer, as the recovery time for these infections is slow. This adds to any patient’s suffering and costs related to medical care.
• Invasive follow-up procedures: Further antibiotic courses and surgeries to treat these infections can affect a patient’s health significantly.
• Emotional and financial burden: Patients suffering from poor sterilization-related infections can develop a general fear for their health, experience prolonged hospital stays and isolation that lead to depression, and develop a lack of trust in the health system.

This ordeal also puts patients under an incredible financial burden, potentially to the point that they deplete their life savings. Furthermore, they may be left without resources if they lose their job due to prolonged hospital stays or deteriorating health conditions.

What to do if you suspect infection from unsterilized equipment

If you at all suspect you’ve been infected by unsterilized equipment, there are a few things you should watch carefully. Typically, signs of infection can resemble those of other illnesses, such as the flu or a cold, so if you feel sick not long after a procedure, speak to a doctor immediately.

Indications of a serious infection might include:

• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Muscle pain
• Confusion
• Headache
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Seizures

Tell your doctor about your surgery and your suspicions, and ask them to diagnose you for potential infections using blood, urine, and/or tissue tests, as these can detect bacteria. It’s also possible for imaging scans to help locate the problem, so this might be a reasonable next step. Post-surgery infections often occur near the surgical site, so be certain this is thoroughly examined.

If you or your loved one suffered from infection caused by unsterilized medical equipment, it’s important to also know you have a legal right to file a claim. Medical facilities are obligated to provide quality treatment and uphold strict sterilization standards to protect their patients, and failure to do so leads to significant harm that falls under medical malpractice. Having an experienced malpractice lawyer evaluate your medical documentation and support your overall case can help you if the malpractice becomes clear.

If you suspect medical malpractice due to unsterilized medical equipment, don’t hesitate to contact a Washington, D.C., medical malpractice lawyer at Paulson & Nace. Our compassionate team understands the complexities of malpractice claims and is dedicated to fighting on your behalf to redress your harm. Call us today or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation.