Hospitals and medical facilities have a tremendous responsibility in ensuring for the proper medical care and safety of patients. While much is written about hospital negligence in regard to staffing or procedural errors, little is written about other potentially dangerous conditions that may result in patient injuries.

Many hospitals are housed in buildings that are older and often in need of repair. Building facilities and equipment can greatly impact the overall health and wellbeing of patients. Materials such as electrical wiring, drywall, ceiling tiles, flooring and drains all require frequent and proper maintenance and cleaning.

Oftentimes when hospitals require facility-related repairs, the safety and wellbeing of patients is compromised. Several such incidents have been reported at hospitals across the country while undergoing construction and repairs. At one hospital that was undergoing construction, medical gas lines were contaminated. At another, construction crews switched emergency and standard outlets which resulted in the failure of a patient's ventilator during a power outage.

These types of facility and maintenance errors put patients at increased risk for suffering serious injury and even death. Hospitals are responsible for ensuring medical facilities are in compliance with health and safety codes as well as properly maintained. Hospitals that fail to do so run the risk of being negligent in the event a patient suffers injury.

Patients who sustain injuries as a result of a hospital or medical facility's failure to maintain a safe physical environment would be wise to consult with a legal professional. Negligence on the part of non-medical hospital employees including housekeeping, facilities and maintenance staff can adversely impact patients' health and wellbeing.

Source: Infection Control Today, "Patient Safety Extends Into Hospital Pipes, Drains and Power Lines," Dec. 13, 2012