Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

C. diff deaths in Britian called 'scandalous'

Infection Control Monitor, October 12, 2007

At least 90 patients died and more than 1,100 became infected as hospital managers in Great Britain failed to control the worst outbreaks ever recorded of Clostridium difficile infections, also known as C. diff, according to a report released October 11.

The British newspapers reported three hospitals run by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust failed to stop the spread of the infection. An investigation by the country's Healthcare Commission blamed inadequate staffing levels, dirty hospital wards, and too much focus on cost-cutting for two outbreaks of C. diff. Health officials and police are considering the possibility of criminal charges against the trust or its executives, newspapers reported.

The country's health secretary called the deaths "scandalous" after a commisiosn found significant failings in infection control at the three hospitals.

Most Popular