2008 CRE Outbreak in Broward County

The first case of a potential supergerm outbreak occurred at a Broward County hospital in 2008. On March 1, a seriously ill man was transferred to a Broward County hospital from a long term care facility; he died the next day.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention examined urine samples that were sent to them and it was revealed that he was infected with Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Records were searched shortly thereafter the man’s death and it was found that between March 21 and April 20, 2008, 10 people had been affected by the dangerous supergerm. Approximately 13 hospitals, 14 long-term care facilities and eight rehabilitation hospitals had their records search.

If a loved one in a nursing home came in contact with a supergerm contact one of our trusted medical malpractice attorneys today for a free consultation.

Of those infected, seven of them had been at a long-term care hospital and the mortality rate was 69 percent.

Although the outbreak was thought to be controlled, an additional outbreak was reported in 2011. The Sun-Sentinel reported in 2013 that in the past ten years, cases of CRE have increased five-fold. CRE is believed to have caused 17 deaths.

Since 2008, health officials have investigated seven different CRE outbreaks in Florida that have affected nearly 300 people. The two outbreaks of CRE in Broward County led to 40 patient infections and 17 deaths.

Data published at data.medicare.gov between July 2012 and June 2013 reveals that in Broward County there were hundreds of other observed healthcare associated infections. Some of the different types of observed infections include:

  • MRSA
  • C.Diff
  • CAUTI
  • CLABSI

CRE infections commonly occur among patients with weakened immune systems, which is why this type of infection is so prevalent in long-term care hospitals and facilities.

Although we trust healthcare facilities to take care of our loved ones, when medical professionals fail to adhere to infection control procedures they are putting their patients in grave danger. If you or a loved one has suffered from a hospital-acquired infection while receiving treatment at a Broward hospital, you may be entitled to compensation.

What you or your loved one has suffered is something no one should ever have to endure and the individuals who caused you harm need to be held responsible for their actions.

Contact Gordon & Partners at 1 (855) 722-2552 to schedule a free legal consultation or fill out the contact form at the top of this page to get started on your claim.

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