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Clostridium Difficile is a bacterium which is present as one of the normal bacteria in the gut of up to 3% of healthy adults. C Diff as it is commonly known can cause illness when certain antibiotics disturb the balance of normal bacteria in the gut.
Its effects can range from nothing in some cases to diarrhoea of varying severity, which may resolve once antibiotic treatment is stopped, through to severe inflammation of the bowel.
Other symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal tenderness. In a small number of cases, patients have died from complicating factors arising from Clostridium Difficile Infection.
Healthcare Commission
A recent report has found that an NHS Trust¹s handling of the superbug C.Difficile resulted in the deaths of 90 patients.
The report is highly critical of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, the investigation stating that the Trust managers were preoccupied with adhering to financial targets. The report lists the factors that contributed to the outbreak as:
- Nurses not washing hands
- Commodes not being emptied or cleaned
- Patients not being helped to go to the toilet
- Clean mattresses not being provided
- Aprons or gloves not being worn.
All these factors are basic measures to ensure that outbreaks such as this do not occur. However, it appears that these basic measures were not adhered to in the struggle to meet Government targets.
Whilst it is appreciated that the task of eradicating superbugs such as C.Difficile and MRSA is a difficult one, patient care should be the number one priority and never second to finance. Obviously it is a difficult balancing act but basic hygiene should never be forgotten.
Can I make a Cdiff compensation claim?
If you or a loved one has been affected by Clostridium Difficile you may be entitled to claim compensation.
These types of clinical negligence claims are complex and the more experienced your legal team the better your chances of success. There are time limitations at present they stand at 3 years, however this may change.
To discover how to claim click here
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