Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a well known superbug which has placed many patients at risk in the UK. Staphylococcus Aureus – a bacterium – can actually be found in nearly a third of healthy Brits but MRSA is usually contracted whilst in hospital and can lead to a number of serious complications. Between 1 and 3 percent of the UK population are thought to have MRSA and in the majority of cases this can go untreated because no serious infection arises. The bug is transferred either indirectly through medical instruments or surroundings which contain the bacterium or through direct contact with someone else.
The Department of Health is responsible for monitoring MRSA and for issuing guidelines to prevent the spread of it throughout the UK’s NHS and private healthcare facilities. Nevertheless, MRSA has become the UK’s most renowned superbugs and in most cases, it affects the weakest and most vulnerable patients. Indeed, nursing homes have faced high rates of MRSA contraction in recent years.
Contracting MRSA in hospital – the risk factors
There are certain risk factors which make the contraction of MRSA far more likely, such as:
• Undergoing surgery
• Retained medical devices
• Infected pressure sores, surgical wounds, catheter or intravenous lines
• Serious illness particularly in the elderly
• Previous contraction of MRSA
• Recent treatment in hospital
• Regular contact with or residence in nursing homes
However, otherwise health individuals can also contract MRSA which is why the infection causes such concern.
It is crucial that MRSA is diagnosed early so that treatment can commence and measures can be taken to stop the bug spreading to any other people or wards. Whilst it can be very difficult to treat MRSA, research has already found that isolating infected patients, constantly monitoring the infection and taking care when any contact is made with patients can prevent the spread of the bug. Encouraging hand hygiene and a culture of screening patients is also highly effective and if healthcare institutions are proactive in combating MRSA, large numbers of patients can be spared the trauma of contracting MRSA.
Contracted MRSA in hospital? We could help you claim compensation
If you have contracted MRSA and the healthcare facility where you were treated failed to take the steps needed to protect your wellbeing, you may find that you are entitled to claim medical negligence compensation.
Call our experts today on 0800 1404544 for advice on how to claim NHS compensation, or
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