Karen,

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that causes infection in wounds and is referred to as a "hospital aquired infection" or nosocomial infection, much like the antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus that we hear about. All this really means is that it is possible or even highly likely that she picked up this infection while in the hospital. It may have just been contracted from wounds she experienced from the treatment. Should they have contacted your family as soon as they got the results of the culture? I would think so, especially given the communicable nature of the infection. Hospitals have a contagious disease monitoring group that should have or may have done something to ensure containment. It is even a possiblity that the bacterial infection could not have been eliminated even with treatment. I would contact the patient advocacy officer or such of the hospital and ask these questions.

I am sorry you have these unanswered questions and I hope the hospital takes the time to address your concerns and provide explanations that satisfy you and your father.

Ed