After a Bout with Hospital-Acquired Infection, Actress Becomes Patient Advocate
Three years ago, actress Alicia Cole was at the peak of her career, and then she nearly died of necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease she acquired after a routine hospital procedure.
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December 14, 2009
Three years ago, actress Alicia Cole was at the peak of her career, and then she nearly died of necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease she acquired after a routine hospital procedure. Surviving this near-death experience, which left her with more than $1 million in medical bills, has subsequently cast the artist in an unlikely role, namely that of a patient educator and activist.
Cole set up a website which informs patients and rallies support against the state of California's cap of $250,000 for medical malpractice damages, which she says "makes it extremely difficult for injured parties or their families to secure legal representation due to the harsh restrictions of the act, even when the negligence has resulted in death."
The 47-year-old has also testified before a state infection control committee about the need to disclose hospital infection rates to "put a face on the facts and figures," as California hospitals do not have to disclose that information, according to InjuryBoard.com.
She told the news provider she receives numerous phone calls from affected patients who "want advice or want someone to listen to understand what they are going through. It's very emotional on so many levels [but healing] is what I'm doing and I'm sharing."
According to ABCNews.com, there are more than 1.7 million cases of hospital-acquired infections in the U.S. each year. Experts believe medical facilities could dramatically reduce the rates by boosting simple hygienic procedures, such as ensuring frequent hand-washing among its personnel.
Survivors and their families can learn more about treatment options through the website of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Three years ago, actress Alicia Cole was at the peak of her career, and then she nearly died of necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease she acquired after a routine hospital procedure. Surviving this near-death experience, which left her with more than $1 million in medical bills, has subsequently cast the artist in an unlikely role, namely that of a patient educator and activist.
Cole set up a website which informs patients and rallies support against the state of California's cap of $250,000 for medical malpractice damages, which she says "makes it extremely difficult for injured parties or their families to secure legal representation due to the harsh restrictions of the act, even when the negligence has resulted in death."
The 47-year-old has also testified before a state infection control committee about the need to disclose hospital infection rates to "put a face on the facts and figures," as California hospitals do not have to disclose that information, according to InjuryBoard.com.
She told the news provider she receives numerous phone calls from affected patients who "want advice or want someone to listen to understand what they are going through. It's very emotional on so many levels [but healing] is what I'm doing and I'm sharing."
According to ABCNews.com, there are more than 1.7 million cases of hospital-acquired infections in the U.S. each year. Experts believe medical facilities could dramatically reduce the rates by boosting simple hygienic procedures, such as ensuring frequent hand-washing among its personnel.
Survivors and their families can learn more about treatment options through the website of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
