Jury Rules Milwaukee's Columbia Hospital Not at Fault in Infection Lawsuit

A jury has favored Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis., formerly Columbia Hospital, in a lawsuit filed by a former patient who accused the hospital of causing her infection, according to a WISN news report.

A former patient filed a lawsuit accusing the hospital of using dirty surgical instruments that caused her MRSA infection. James Stoll, MD, spoke out as a whistleblower against the hospital in the case, alleging the hospital's construction plans led to cuts to the hospital's infection control program. Dr. Stoll also claimed four infections were reported in a short time period, according to the news report.

 

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A hospital infection control expert refuted those claims, stating most infections are a result of microorganisms on the patient's skin. The jury ruled in favor of the hospital, citing lack of evidence to support the former patient's claim. The patient did, however, receive a $37,000 reward for her bills and pain.

Read the news report about Columbia Hospital.

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