| Is enough being done about hospital superbugs?
Despite a continuing battle against the prevalence of 'superbugs' in UK hospitals and care homes, cases are still being reported almost daily and spot checks of some NHS trusts have found that 'serious breaches' of hygiene regulations are potentially responsible for further outbreaks.
Superbugs such as MRSA and C. Diff have developed as bacteria previously combated by the use of antibiotics develop a resistance to the most commonly used drugs. Antibiotics work by disrupting the production of components needed to create new bacterial cells. As the bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics, they mutate and become more virulent. The most common cause for the spread of superbugs is through a lack of cleanliness and the failure to develop an antibiotic that can deal with the new strains of these infections.
The health authorities and the Government have made a concerted effort over the last couple of years to bring in new legislation and procedures to try and combat the epidemic and to prevent C Diff and MRSA Claims, and for a while it looked like the tide had been turned. However there is evidence that superbugs are staging a fightback, and some observers think that it is partially due to a lack of understanding of basic hygiene requirements by some NHS trusts. But other experts believe that part of the problem is that nobody really understands how these pathogens deviate from their original form and are concerned that a new breed of 'hyper-bugs' may be waiting in the wings.
The elderly, the very young and those recovering from surgery are most at risk of infection, and it is essential that their care reflects this vulnerability. Hospitals already carry out deep cleaning and other preventative measures to try and halt the spread of the infections, but understaffing and limited funds mean that an all-out war on the superbug menace is difficult to stage. Medical negligence MRSA claims for MRSA and C Diff infections, which had seen a small decline for a short period, are again on the rise. Microbiologists who have constantly issued warnings about the mutation of superbugs are worried that their warnings are going unheeded by hospital managers focused on performance figures and productivity targets. New government directives require hospitals to carry out screening patients being admitted, but this screening is not carried out on staff or visitors, or those only requiring day-surgery procedures. It is a combination of these factors that can lead to an outbreak of superbug activity within a clinical environment.
Specialist solicitors dealing in C Diff and MRSA compensation claims for medical negligence are looking very closely at the situation. As so many guidelines and regulations have been introduced, they believe that the hospitals should have clear strategies in place to combat the spread of superbugs. Failings within those strategies may mean that a compensation claim for medical negligence can be upheld in court. Medical negligence claims are notoriously complex, so if you are thinking about claiming after the fact it is essential that you discuss your options with a specialist firm. They will have access to medical personnel whom are well versed in the field, as well as experience in expert witness testimony. The compensation claim doesn't just benefit the recipient. It can also call attention to possible failings within the NHS that, if addressed as a direct result of a negligence case, could prevent the spread of the disease and other patients falling victim to these terrible diseases in the future.
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