When your newborn is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), you expect the highest level of care, caution, and professionalism. But when basic infection control protocols break down, the consequences can be devastating. According to local news outlets reporting on a recent investigation by the Virginia Department of Health, 94 babies admitted to Henrico Doctors’ Hospital were infected over a three-year period. A multi-year MRSA outbreak in any NICU exposes dozens of babies to a dangerous and preventable infection.
What is MRSA?
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus—a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many commonly used antibiotics. MRSA infections can be especially serious in hospital settings, where patients often have weakened immune systems, open wounds, or other vulnerabilities that increase the risk of infection.
How is MRSA Contracted in Hospitals?
In a hospital setting, MRSA can spread through direct contact with an infected wound or contaminated surfaces. In the NICU, where premature and critically ill infants often require intensive interventions, the risks are magnified. Inadequate hand hygiene, improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and lapses in sterilization or cleaning protocols can all contribute to the spread of MRSA.
How Should Hospitals Prevent MRSA Outbreaks?
Hospitals are required to follow strict infection prevention protocols, including:
- Rigorous hand hygiene between each patient interaction
- Proper donning and doffing of gloves, gowns, and other PPE
- Isolating infected or colonized patients to prevent cross-contamination
- Routine surveillance and early detection of infections
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of equipment and patient areas
When these steps are ignored or inconsistently followed, preventable outbreaks occur.
Why MRSA is Especially Dangerous for Newborns
MRSA can cause a range of serious health complications, including:
- Bloodstream infections (sepsis)
- Pneumonia
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Surgical site infections
- Long-term damage to organs or limbs
In neonates—particularly premature babies—these infections can progress rapidly and may result in lifelong disability or even death.
You Are Not Alone. We’re Here to Help.
If your child was admitted to the NICU at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital between 2020 and 2023 and was diagnosed with an MRSA infection, you may have legal options. Our firm has the experience, resources, and dedication to investigate what went wrong and to help your family get the answers and accountability you deserve.
Call us at 866-388-1307 or contact us online. We are here to help.