Clostridium difficile and the first objective

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is a hot topic. In its investigation into the two outbreaks of Clostridium difficile at Stoke Mandeville in 2005, the Healthcare Commission was highly critical of the way the Trust had handled the situation and, in its wake, senior managers of the Trust's Board were replaced. Since then the Hygiene Code and various other initiatives have been introduced. There has been widespread media coverage and understandable interest in and concern about the issue. We have seen the first decided case on the applicability of the COSHH regulations to claims arising from infection in a healthcare setting and recent publication of the draft findings of the Health & Safety Executive report into Stoke Mandeville. Added to that is a lively debate as to the applicability of Fairchild to claims for HAI. This article looks at some of the practical and legal issues around claims for C. difficile behind the politics and media frenzy.