Hospital-Acquired Infections & Sepsis Claims UK

Hospital-Acquired Infections

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus): A antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread through contact. Negligence includes failure to screen patients on admission, poor hand hygiene between patients, contaminated equipment, and failure to isolate infected patients. MRSA infections can cause wound infections, bloodstream infections (bacteraemia), pneumonia, and bone infections.

C. difficile (Clostridioides difficile): A bacteria causing severe diarrhoea and colitis, often triggered by antibiotic use. Negligence includes inappropriate or prolonged antibiotic prescribing, failure to isolate infected patients, poor environmental cleaning, and delayed diagnosis and treatment. Severe C. diff can be fatal, particularly in elderly patients.

Catheter and central line infections: Urinary catheters and central venous lines are common sources of hospital-acquired infection. Negligence includes unnecessary catheterisation, failure to remove catheters promptly when no longer needed, poor insertion technique, and failure to maintain the line according to care bundles. Surgical site infections: Infections at the site of surgery caused by contamination during the procedure, poor sterile technique, or inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis.

Hospital-acquired sepsis: When an infection acquired in hospital develops into sepsis. The key negligence issue is usually delayed recognition: the NHS Sepsis Six protocol requires specific actions within one hour of suspected sepsis. Failure to follow this protocol can turn a treatable infection into organ failure and death. Septic arthritis: Joint infection, often following joint injection or surgery. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can cause permanent joint damage.

Common Questions