Blood Contamination Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Blood contamination is a common risk during many types of medical procedures. The use of contaminated blood in surgery and other medical procedures can result in serious injuries or death to patients, and is usually the result of medical negligence.
If you have been the victim of blood contamination during a medical procedure, the Baltimore medical malpractice law firm of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. can help. Over the firm’s 30+ year history, we have filed more medical negligence cases than any other lawyer or law firm in Maryland and recovered more than $1 billion on behalf of our clients. Have questions? Schedule a free consultation.
Blood Contamination and How it Happens
Blood is the life force of the human body, responsible for carrying oxygen and vital nutrients to your organs and muscles, and fighting disease through the use of white blood cells. During surgery and other medical procedures, blood transfusions are often necessary to keep the body healthy.
Blood contamination is when a sterile, healthy supply of blood is infected by pathogens or other impurities, making it unfit for use in transfusions. Blood contamination commonly occurs for the following reasons:
- Inadequate cooling and storage
- Exposure to bacteria
- Improper screening of blood donors
- Improper dialysis practices
Blood contamination can also occur if the wrong type of blood is used for a transfusion. For example, if a patient has A-type blood but receives B-type blood during a transfusion, this is a type of blood contamination.
Medical professionals are responsible for ensuring that the blood they use for transfusions is clean and safe to use. These include properly storing blood and ensuring it is not exposed to pathogens, properly screening potential blood donors prior to allowing them to donate blood, and properly labeling the blood for correct typing. Cleaning the skin prior to blood transfusion also considerably decreases the risk of contamination.
