Superbugs: Targets hindering hospital hygiene
An alarming report from the Healthcare Commission today found that "significant failings" in infection control at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells trust allowed Clostridium Difficile to spread on wards and ultimately kill patients. The report found 21 people had definitely been died from C-Diff, with 69 more "probable" cases and 1,000 patients affected by the outbreak which occurred during 2004 to 2006. The Commission discovered that managers had placed financial targets - set by the government - ahead of safety protocol. Police in Kent are considering launching criminal proceedings against the trust, which could see them charged for murder, manslaughter or breaches of health and safety legislation.
