CPE the latest hospital superbug infection

According to recent media reports the HSE has started writing to patients who were not told they had come into contact with the superbug Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and that the HSE says those affected may be ‘upset and disappointed’ over the delay in informing them.  Superbugs are strains of bacteria that are resistant to several types of antibiotics and patients who may have been exposed to the super bug CPE were not informed of this prior to their discharge from HSE run hospitals.  The HSE describes CPE as the newest in a long line of ‘superbugs’ which if it gets into the blood stream can prove fatal.  The Health Service Executive states of all the superbugs, CPE is the most difficult to kill with antibiotics.  According to the HSE’s website, Ireland has seen an increase in the number of cases year on year – almost doubling in 2016 to 280 cases and is estimated to have increased by a third in 2017.

Last year, the Minister for Health highlighted the rapid and worrying increase in the incidence of CPE in Ireland, with a significant growth in the numbers of cases. The HSE noted the outbreaks which have occurred in 8 healthcare facilities resulting in high costs and bed closures. As a result, the Minister declared a public health emergency on 24th October 2017 and convened the National Public Health Emergency Team and activated the National Public Health Emergency Plan.  The HSE now believes, based on testing, that approximately 2,000 people in the country carry the disease. The majority of carriers contracted the infection during a hospital visit.  A recent external review into 73 deaths at hospitals in the University of Limerick Hospital Group between 2009 and 2017 found that the CPE superbug was a factor in ten patient deaths and directly caused 3 patient deaths.

From our experience, some hospitals will carry out infection screening tests for superbugs by way of a swab prior to surgery, where the infection if detected, can be treated appropriately. Infection following surgery is a known risk of any invasive procedure and in many cases, such an outcome will not equate to substandard care.  However, in cases where there is for example, a failure in hygiene standards or a failure to diagnose and treat such an infection in a timely manner causing unnecessary injury, then a medical negligence claim may be pursued.

Cantillons Solicitors has recovered compensation for patients in the past who acquired hospital infections caused by superbugs including MRSA, necrotizing fasciitis and clostridium difficile.

Contact us at Cantillons Solicitors at +353 (0)21 -4275673 or info@cantillons.com if you would like more information.

* In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage of any award or settlement.

Marion Fogarty

Associate

Experience

Marian practises in clinical negligence cases with a particular focus on delayed diagnosis of cancer claims, fatal injury, plastic surgery, general surgery, obstetric injury, catastrophic injury and ENT claims, to name a few.  Her experience in these areas of law ranges from mid value cases to complex and high value claims.  She provides advice to clients in relation to issues arising under the Data Protection Acts/GDPR, limitation issues and has experience of litigating before the High Court, Court of Civil Appeal and Supreme Court.    She is a CEDR accredited mediator and represents clients in the mediation of clinical negligence claims.

Qualifications/Associations

• Bachelor of Business Studies and French, University of Limerick
• Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors (2009)
• Advocacy and Employment Law Skills Certificate, Law Society of Ireland
• CEDR Certificate in Advanced Negotiation Skills
• CEDR Accredited Mediator
• Diploma in Professional Regulation, NUI
• Certificate in Data Protection Practice, Law Society of Ireland

Memberships

Law Society of Ireland, AVMA, Southern Law Association, DSBA and CEDR Exchange