Vaccines against two hospital bugs could be available within a decade, the Government's Chief Medical Officer has said.
A drug to prevent Clostridium difficile (C diff) will be tested on patients having elective surgery later this year, and if it is found to be effective it is likely to be available in three to five years, while a vaccine against MRSA is in development but will not be ready for seven to 10 years.
Launching his annual report, Sir Liam Donaldson also called for a new focus on the health of teenagers.
He highlighted six key factors threatening the health of young people: smoking, alcohol and drugs, accidents and violence, diet, physical activity and sexual health.
Sir Liam said the legal blood alcohol level for drivers under 20 should be reduced to zero.
The report, entitled On The State Of Public Health called for a national summit on health services for teenagers, more involvement of teenagers in the design of health services and the setting up of a young persons' panel on risk taking in teenage years.
Sir Liam said he believed reducing the legal alcohol limit for teenage drivers would save lives.
His report pointed out that alcohol use increases the risk of a crash for a young driver two and a half times more than for an older driver.
Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) showed there were 1087 cases of MRSA during October to December 2007, a 0.6% rise compared with July to September 2007.
Figures for C diff showed an 8% drop over the same period.
from the BBC
See cdiff compensation
Showing posts with label cdiff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cdiff. Show all posts
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Why Does A C.Diff Infection Spread?
Unfortunately, a C.Diff Infection can spread very quickly and it is not easily killed by cleaning agents that most hospitals will use. C.diff forms spores which infected people can transfer by contact with each other and surfaces and those spores can live for up to five months.
It is because of the high degree of infection that c.diff poses such a threat to hospitals and the patients in their care.
How A C.Diff Infection Can Be Treated
The unfortunate truth about a C.diff Infection is that it is very hard to treat and treatment can last for several months. The evolvement of a new and more viral strain of c.diff which is resistant to treatment can be fatal and it is this strain of the disease which is proving so difficult for our hospitals to control.
Some antibiotics can be used in the treatment of a C.diff Infection including Flagyl. Flagyl is the most common treatment and is usually taken in tablet form and is a Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial or protozoal infections.
Vancomycin is a stronger drug than Flagyl and is used to try and combat the more serious strains of C.Diff Infection. Taken orally Vancomycin is a parenteral glycopeptide antibiotic and is a drug which has recently been improved during the manufacturing process to increase its purity and effectiveness against the stronger strains of c.diff.
Can A C.diff Infection Be Prevented
Surprisingly simply washing hands is the best way to prevent the spread of a C.diff Infection although the usual alcohol based hand cleansers are not effective in preventing the spread of c.diff.
For more information visit cdiff-compensation.co.uk
It is because of the high degree of infection that c.diff poses such a threat to hospitals and the patients in their care.
How A C.Diff Infection Can Be Treated
The unfortunate truth about a C.diff Infection is that it is very hard to treat and treatment can last for several months. The evolvement of a new and more viral strain of c.diff which is resistant to treatment can be fatal and it is this strain of the disease which is proving so difficult for our hospitals to control.
Some antibiotics can be used in the treatment of a C.diff Infection including Flagyl. Flagyl is the most common treatment and is usually taken in tablet form and is a Metronidazole is used to treat bacterial or protozoal infections.
Vancomycin is a stronger drug than Flagyl and is used to try and combat the more serious strains of C.Diff Infection. Taken orally Vancomycin is a parenteral glycopeptide antibiotic and is a drug which has recently been improved during the manufacturing process to increase its purity and effectiveness against the stronger strains of c.diff.
Can A C.diff Infection Be Prevented
Surprisingly simply washing hands is the best way to prevent the spread of a C.diff Infection although the usual alcohol based hand cleansers are not effective in preventing the spread of c.diff.
For more information visit cdiff-compensation.co.uk
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Clostridium Difficile Infection and the Healthcare Commission
Following the recent Clostridium Difficile Infection crisis the healthcare Commisssion published a report which found that an NHS Trusts handling of the Clostridium Difficile Infection 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 Clostridium Difficile Infection 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 Clostridium Difficile Infection 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.
Have you or your family being affected by Clostridium Difficile Infection crisis? Click on the link for free legal advice on claiming compensation for Clostridium Difficile Infection
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 Clostridium Difficile Infection 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 Clostridium Difficile Infection 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.
Have you or your family being affected by Clostridium Difficile Infection crisis? Click on the link for free legal advice on claiming compensation for Clostridium Difficile Infection
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Can I make a c.diff compensation claim?
If you or a loved one has been affected by Clostridium Difficile or MRSA Infection you may be entitled to claim c.diff 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. For details on how to claim c.diff compensation click here
Successful claims
More recently claimants who have contracted MRSA [another hospital acquired infection] have had success in bringing claims under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations [COSHH] and these Regulations should apply to C.diff compensation cases.
If it can be established that a hospital has failed to follow its infection control policies and that this has resulted in a patient contracting C.diff a hospital will be liable for any injury caused to the patient as a result.
C.diff compensation cases often go further than simply whether or not a patient contracted the infection as a consequence of negligence on the part of the Hospital Trust in the first place.
There might for instance be a negligent delay in diagnosing that a patient has been infected and a delay in giving the patient the treatment which they need and to which they are entitled.
There might also be issues about a patient¹s management after diagnosis, e.g. were they given the right antibiotics and the correct treatment course?
Following the recent Healthcare Commissions critical report it would be appear that the chances of pursuing a successful claim for C.diff compensation or MRSA injury have increased substantially.
Next step
Complete the 'c.diff compensation claim form' and we will reply by your preferred method. We will tell you whether you have a strong case but we may need to clarify further points.
We will advise you of procedure and timescales. This is professional legal advice and is free and confidential.
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. For details on how to claim c.diff compensation click here
Successful claims
More recently claimants who have contracted MRSA [another hospital acquired infection] have had success in bringing claims under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations [COSHH] and these Regulations should apply to C.diff compensation cases.
If it can be established that a hospital has failed to follow its infection control policies and that this has resulted in a patient contracting C.diff a hospital will be liable for any injury caused to the patient as a result.
C.diff compensation cases often go further than simply whether or not a patient contracted the infection as a consequence of negligence on the part of the Hospital Trust in the first place.
There might for instance be a negligent delay in diagnosing that a patient has been infected and a delay in giving the patient the treatment which they need and to which they are entitled.
There might also be issues about a patient¹s management after diagnosis, e.g. were they given the right antibiotics and the correct treatment course?
Following the recent Healthcare Commissions critical report it would be appear that the chances of pursuing a successful claim for C.diff compensation or MRSA injury have increased substantially.
Next step
Complete the 'c.diff compensation claim form' and we will reply by your preferred method. We will tell you whether you have a strong case but we may need to clarify further points.
We will advise you of procedure and timescales. This is professional legal advice and is free and confidential.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
What is Cdiff
Cdiff or Clostridium Difficile is a bacterium which is present as one of the normal bacteria in the gut of up to 3% of healthy adults.
Cdiff as it is commonly known can cause illness when certain antibiotics disturb the balance of normal bacteria in the gut.
The effects of Cdiff can range from nothing in some cases to diarrhea 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.
Cdiff as it is commonly known can cause illness when certain antibiotics disturb the balance of normal bacteria in the gut.
The effects of Cdiff can range from nothing in some cases to diarrhea 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.
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