New Survey Identifies Patients At Risk

A recent study by researchers from the University of York suggests that at least 10% of patients suffer injury as a result of accidents or errors which occur whilst they are in hospital.

Amongst the group studied, hospital acquired infections continue to top the table of problems suffered by patients. Although recent government figures point to a downturn in the number of infections contracted by patients whilst in hospital, they continue to account for almost half of the illnesses or injuries resulting from errors in judgment or poor care according to the study.

Whilst Health Protection Agency statistics for 2006 were heralded by the government as reporting a 6.7% fall in MRSA cases, Clostridium Difficile cases continue to increase. When set against the background of an almost twofold increase in MRSA related deaths between 2001 and 2005 and a trebling of C.diff related deaths in the same period, the trend remains worrying. Claims relating to contracting infections remain technically more difficult to pursue than claims arising from the failure to treat an infection properly once it has been acquired, but difficulties can be overcome and the clinical negligence team at Foot Anstey are currently conducting a number of cases for clients affected by hospital infections.

The University of York survey, which studied 1,000 cases in one hospital, also identified that almost 3% of patients suffered complications in surgery and there were avoidable problems caused by errors in drug prescription and nursing care. On the basis of this evidence, infection is not the only cause for concern for those entering hospital. The fact that compensation for “wrong-site” surgery, where surgeons have operated on the wrong part of a patient’s body, increased by 50% between 2004 and 2006 indicates that the findings of the latest survey are not unrepresentative of what is happening within our health systems.

The drive to improve is on, in part motivated by public outcry, in part by the pressures of successful compensation claims. The biggest factor in pursuing change is undoubtedly the inherent desire of the medical profession to see their patients’ health improve rather than deteriorate under their care. However the fact that improved patient care has been at the top of the NHS agenda since 2001 and yet surveys continue to highlight problems may lead the cynical to wonder whether those funding the service are paying more lip-service than money to these issues.

Whilst some clients simply seek advice on how to secure more information about a failure in their treatment, others need significant financial compensation to meet their losses and the cost future care requirements. The clinical negligence team at Foot Anstey tailors its service to meet the client’s needs and in so doing, increases the pressure on the NHS to improve standards.

For further information or advice about the service we can offer to patients who have been the victims of negligence on the part of the medical profession, whatever the cause, please call 0800 0731 411 and ask to speak to Chris Thorne or any one of our clinical negligence team.

Published 10/12/2007. The author of this article is Chris Thorne