Serious Surgical Sterilization Failure May Have Affected Indianapolis Patients

Surgical Sterilization Failures: Top Three Things to Know

When you undergo surgery, you trust your medical team to protect you from preventable harm. When sterilization failures occur in hospitals and surgical centers,  patients are put at extreme risk of infection, severe complications and even death. Here are the top three things you should know if you or a loved one have undergone surgery and are experiencing any concerning symptoms:

1. Sterilization Is a Basic Standard of Care

Hospitals are required to properly sterilize surgical instruments, equipment and operating rooms. When medical providers fail in this fundamental patient safety practice, it is considered a breach of the standard of care and may form the basis for a medical malpractice claim.

2. Infections Can Be Life-Threatening

Patients seeking surgery are often already vulnerable. When contaminated equipment is used, bacteria can spread quickly, leading to severe complications such as sepsis, organ failure or even death. What should have been a routine recovery can suddenly turn into a life-threatening crisis.

3. Hospitals and Staff Must Be Trained and Accountable

Sterilization failures often result from poor training, inadequate oversight, or systemic issues in how a hospital manages equipment and procedures. Staff must stay up to date on sterilization requirements, and hospitals must immediately act when problems are identified. When they do not, patients are the ones who suffer.