Infections in Cosmetic Surgery Centers

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News broke where a certain Monarch Medspa in Maryland offering cosmetic surgery services had to be closed down due to reports of infectionacquired at the facility. This resulted in three sever cases of group A streptococcus (GAS) infections, which ended in one death. This incident should serve as a warning both to authorities, customers and the surgery centers themselves about the importance of maintaining strict aseptic methods to ensure that infection is prevented.

When it comes to any invasive procedure, it is understood that there is always that risk for infection. Once there is a break in the integrity of the skin, this opens the door for any organism to enter, whether it is from the air or the instruments used.

The three patients that contracted infections underwent liposuction. They had their procedures done within the last six weeks (from the middle of August to mid September) according to the infection control unit at the University of Maryland Medical System.

GAS infections are usually considered to be mild infections, but once it goes into those parts of the body where bacteria is usually not present such as the muscle, blood and the lungs, it can lead to serious complications. Two of its severe complications include necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria) and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), and these are highly likely to cause death.

The symptoms exhibited by those infected include redness at the wound site, influenza-like syndrome, abrupt onset of generalized or localized swelling and severe pain, weakness, confusion and progressive dizziness.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) ordered the closure of the facility so they can trace the source of the infection.  Officials also reported that the facility has been cooperative.

Monarch MedSpa has been around for eight years, and they claim that this incident is a recent development. They said in a statement that they have performed thousands of procedures that have not resulted in complications.

But the health department also said that there are “probable deviations from standard infection control practices”.

This goes to prove that there should be stricter regulations when it comes to the standards of hygiene and compliance to infection control practices. With some liposuction surgeries done as an outpatient procedure at a doctor’s office aside from surgery centers, this can decrease the amount of protection that you can get from infections.

How sure will you be that sterility is maintained in the area? Do they keep strict infection control methods?

These are the questions that you should be asking before you have yourself go under any procedure.

Due to the turn of events, officials are now considering updating their surgical center regulations. But because surgery centers that provide outpatient procedures and considered to be “ambulatory surgical centers” fall outside the legislation of the State law.

So if you want to protect yourself from the damaging and fatal consequences of infection, as a patient you should also be responsible in preparing your body before going under the knife.

Keep yourself healthy to improve your immune system, follow your doctor’s recommendations and specific instructions, and avoid risky and compromising activities after the surgery.

But you should also make sure that you only get your cosmetic surgery done in a reputable clinic that takes high regard for cleanliness and sanitation. So when you go searching for the right place to have your procedure done, also check the facility’s level infection control practices.