A waterborne infection is believed to be responsible for the deaths of three premature babies at Geisinger Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit. Five other infants also were sickened but four had recovered, while one was still receiving treatment.
The illnesses were caused by the pseudomonas bacteria, according to news reports. While most people can withstand the bacteria, it can be lethal in premature babies and the elderly.
If you or a loved one’s baby suffered serious injury or death while at Geisinger Medical Center due to a suspected bacterial infection, you should contact an attorney about possibly filing a lawsuit.
Kline & Specter, PC, has more than 50 attorneys, five of whom are also full-time, highly skilled medical doctors who can expertly evaluate your case. Two of our doctor/lawyers are OB/GYNs and one worked as a hospitalist, giving them vast experience with infants and the inner workings of a hospital. All case reviews are free.
Bacterial Infections At Geisinger Medical Center
Geisinger, in Danville, in eastern-central Pennsylvania, was investigating the cause of the infections as were the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The hospital said that since the illnesses occurred it had taken measures to rid the facility of infection and to try to ensure there were no additional cases.
In the meantime, Geisinger diverted infants younger than 32 weeks and mothers who were expected to deliver prematurely to other hospitals. Seven of the eight infants who tested positive for the pseudomonas bacteria were born before 27 weeks.
The bacteria is generally harmless except with babies so young because they do not have well developed immune systems.