Hospital Aquired Infections

The recent rise in the number of hospital acquired infections (or ‘Superbugs’ as they have commonly become known) is a serious cause of concern for hospitals throughout the UK. Britain now has one of the highest rates of MRSA infections in northern Europe.

A Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) is contracted by a patient and does not originate from the original diagnosis which lead to admission to hospital. They are caused by bacterial, fungal or viral disease organisms (pathogens) and are often noticeable within 48 hours of hospitalisation or shortly after being discharged from hospital.

There are several strains of the hospital ‘superbugs’ such as:

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureas (MRSA)

This is now a common type of bacteria which is resistent to standard antibiotic drugs and can therefore proliferate and cause illness.

Untreated or inadequately treated MRSA can cause serious illness. Symtoms can include:

·         Heart valve infections

·         Toxic shock syndrome

·         Boils and abscesses

·         Septic wounds

Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease (CDAD or C-Diff)

This is a widespread bacteria often associated with tetanus, botulism and gas gangrene. C Diff produces spores that are resistant to standard methods of infection control and therefore C Diff can linger in the environment spreading quickly between patients.

The hospital acquired strain of C.difficile can cause diarrhoea ranging from mild disturbance to a perforation of the intestine which can be fatal.

Glycopeptide-Resistent Enterococci (GRE)

Enterococci is a strain of bacteria found in the bowel of normal healthy individuals. In the 1980’s a strain was discovered which had resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics.

This strain of ‘superbug’ can cause urinary tract infections, blood stream infections and wound infections.

If you or a member of your family has contracted (or thinks they may have contracted) a hospital acquired infection it is important to telephone your General Practitioner and inform him/her at the earliest opportunity.

Patient’s (or families of a deceased) who contract hospital acquired infections are entitled to compensation for the injury or loss sustained.

Claims for hospital acquired infections are often complex and it is therefore imperitive to ensure that you appoint the right solicitor to act on your behalf.

Bridge McFarland’s head of Hospital Acquired Infections Claims Department is Tim Mincher who qualified initially as a Graduate Biologist working in scientific research before transferring to Law in 1989.

Please call a member of our HAI Team to discuss your potential claim in confidence, without obligation and without any charge to you.