‘Superbugs’ and Medical Negligence
Everyone expects to receive the very best healthcare and for medical professionals to treat them competently and with consideration. In the UK many people receive medical treatment through the NHS (National Health Service), though some others choose private healthcare providers. No matter which of these options you choose to use, you understandably hope to receive the best possible treatment and support. Any kind of medical negligence is a serious issue, and if you are a loved one are unlucky enough to be affected by it, expert legal advice should be sought. So where do hospital superbugs fit into this picture?
‘Superbugs’ are a real concern for those who have to spend time in hospital. Although increasing efforts have been made to improve hygiene on wards, resilient infections can still spread easily among vulnerable people if proper precautions are overlooked. It only takes one careless or forgetful member of hospital staff to spread bacteria between patients. This form of medical negligence can be extremely damaging, and even life threatening to those who are already afflicted by other ailments or injuries. Possibly the most well known ‘superbug’ is MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). MRSA is a kind of bacterium which is resistant to a large number of beta-lactams, a branch of antibiotics which includes penicillin and cephalosporins. This resistance can make treating MRSA and preventing its spread more challenging than with some other infections, but maintaining a sanitary environment and following strict hygiene rules designed to beat this resilient bacteria can prevent serious illness from occurring. Clostridium difficile (commonly referred to as C difficile or just C. diff) is another kind of bacteria associated with illness in hospitals. Clostridia are anaerobic, which means that they do not require oxygen to survive and can reside in the human large colon. When antimicrobial drugs are used incorrectly it can lead to the death of normal gut flora (the helpful microorganisms that live in your digestive tract), allowing C difficile can multiply excessively. Those affected can suffer with bloating, constipation and diarrhoea, due to the toxins produced by the bacterium. In serious cases, infections of the colon or even perforation of the intestine can result, sometimes leading to fatalities. Like MRSA, C difficile can be spread from patient to patient in hospital environments if proper hygiene precautions are not adhered to.
The majority of healthcare staff are well trained and understand just how important hygiene is in a hospital environment. Unfortunately there are sometimes lapses in hygiene procedures, especially when staff are overworked, hurried or very tired. Medical professionals are human after all, and make errors. Sadly these errors can sometimes lead to the deterioration of patient health and even to fatalities. Those who become ill from infections caught whilst in hospital sometimes think the suffering could have been avoided if the hospital staff had taken more hygiene measures. If you or someone you care about contracted an infection whilst in hospital, there may be cause to claim for medical negligence. It is advisable to seek specialist solicitors, who are knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with medical negligence claims.
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