Clostridium difficile or C Difficile, is one of the most unpleasant superbugs that can be contracted in the UK’s hospitals and is unfortunately on the rise. Anyone who contracts C Difficile whilst in hospital should immediately contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor to ask about claiming compensation.
The nature and symptoms of C-Difficile
C Difficile is a strain of bacteria found naturally in the body but which can cause serious problems when it multiples. Imbalances in the body’s bacteria will cause a C Difficile bacterium to multiply and this process is often catalysed by antibiotics. With many hospital patients prescribed antibiotics, C Difficile thrives in wards and the elderly and those who have recently had surgery are at particular risk. Indeed figures from the Health Protection Agency show that there have been around 6000 cases of C Difficile a year amongst over 65s since 2008.
The C Difficile bacteria is very defiant and can survive cleaning product and antibiotics. It could take 70 days for the bacteria to die outside the body and floors, toilets and other unsanitary places are particularly hospitable for C Difficile. Unfortunately, some hospitals still have poor hygiene in some areas which encourages the spread of C Difficile and with few beds available, the bug is transported as patients move between wards.
Aside from the diarrhoea that sufferers are likely to experience, C Difficile can lead to extreme dehydration and sadly even death.
Contracterd Clostridium Difficile? Can I claim compensation?
Hospitals may find themselves facing medical negligence compensation claims from patients who have contracted C Difficile if any of the following preventative measures were not taken:
• The ward should be regularly cleaned
• Steam cleaning which kills C Difficile more effectively than any other cleaning method should be used
• Patients showing signs of the bug should be moved away from other patients
• Disposable aprons and gloves should be worn by medical staff and discarded after contact with each patient
So if you believe you have grounds for a medical negligence compensation claim, get in touch today.
Clostridium Difficile compensation claims – call our legal experts today
If you have contracted C Difficile and believe that hospital staff did not take the necessary preventative measures, you should call our specialist medical negligence solicitors for advice on claiming.
For free initial phone advice, and a free first appointment about making a negligence compensation claim, simply
- Phone us on 0800 1404544
- Or use the online enquiry form below:
