Infection Outbreak in Sumter: What You Need to Know About HAIs at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital

McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips is currently investigating a possible infection outbreak in Sumter, South Carolina. Patients may have contracted various infections, including, but not limited to, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Candida albicans, and MSSA (methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus) while undergoing treatment at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. This is a serious condition, and patients who contract these infections need to know more about how such infections occur and what their options are for recovering compensation for their injuries.

What is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic, gram-negative bacterium. This bacterium is often associated with hospital or healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). P. aeruginosa can be transmitted because of contaminated surgical tools, water sources, contaminated surgical tape, and improperly or inadequately sterilized operating rooms. It’s possible for the bacteria to spread from person to person.

Some populations are more susceptible to infections, including those with open wounds such as surgery incisions. P. aeruginosa is sometimes resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be extremely difficult to treat, making them particularly dangerous, especially for patients recovering from surgery or illness.

Our Client’s Story

McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips is now representing a woman who underwent knee replacement surgery at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in January 2025. Following the procedure, she developed a P. aeruginosa infection that required revision surgery, long-term antibiotic treatment, and ongoing medical care. The infection led to physical injuries, significant medical expenses, and emotional harm. There is information suggesting that this patient is not the only one who has suffered an infection at the same facility during the same time period. There may be many other patients who sustained similar or different infections. A possible outbreak could indicate an environmental or sterilization issue at the hospital that harmed multiple patients. It’s essential to identify and investigate these outbreaks promptly to hold the facility accountable and to provide victims with an opportunity to recover compensation.

Other Infections Reported at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital

Our client was diagnosed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but updates suggest that additional hospital-acquired infections may have occurred at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, including:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Candida albicans (a fungal infection)
• MSSA (methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus)

These infections can be just as serious, and they raise similar concerns about hospital sanitation, infection control practices, and patient safety. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips is investigating whether a broader breakdown in sterilization or environmental hygiene may have contributed to this outbreak.

Hospital-Acquired Infections: The Basics

HAIs are a major risk following surgeries and other procedures in hospitals. Infection protocols in these facilities are meant to minimize the risks of patients contracting these dangerous bacteria. When there is an outbreak of HAIs, it indicates that the protocols meant to protect patient health and safety may have broken down.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the US suffer from hospital-acquired infections. Tens of thousands die as a result. In fact, about one in every 31 patients has at least one HAI.

What To Do If You or a Loved One Was Infected

It’s extremely important to catch an infection early so that the patient can receive treatment. Infections left untreated can result in sepsis, a serious condition that can be fatal. Some symptoms to watch out for post-surgery include the following:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Fever
• Wound drainage or unexpected discharge
• Redness at the surgical site

If you notice any of those signs, it’s important to seek medical attention or report the symptoms to the attention of medical personnel. You should also document the symptoms and the actions of the providers while they are fresh in your memory. If you don’t record these facts right away, your recollection might fade.

Once you’ve received emergency medical care, you should reach out to an attorney. The infection could be a sign that the facility was not sterile and that those responsible for maintaining a safe environment were negligent in their efforts.

How Our Firm Can Help

Attorney Shawn B. Deery of McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips is currently investigating the outbreak at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Our firm has extensive experience handling similar cases involving healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and other injuries resulting from negligence.

If you suffered an infection or know someone who might have been impacted, speak up. People might not realize that their medical providers put their health and well-being at risk. In a successful claim for damages, victims of HAIs may be able to recover compensation for their:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

Contact McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips Today

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, our lawyers are working to uncover the possible causes of HAIs at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. If you sustained injuries because of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or another HAI, reach out to our offices today. We offer free consultations. Call us or fill out our contact form to speak to one of our dedicated injury lawyers. Our team is here to help.