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Hospital-Acquired SARS-Cov-2 Infections in Patients: Inevitable Conditions or Medical Malpractice?

Author

Listed:
  • Rosario Barranco

    (Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy)

  • Luca Vallega Bernucci Du Tremoul

    (Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy)

  • Francesco Ventura

    (Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy)

Abstract

Despite numerous measures to contain the infection and limit its spread, cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections acquired in hospitals have been reported consistently. In this paper, we will address issues of hospital-acquired COVID-19 in hospitalized patients as well as medico-legal implications. After having conducted a literature search, we will report on papers on hospital-acquired SARS-CoV-2 infections. Ten scientific papers were selected and considered suitable for further analysis. According to several reports, the SARS-CoV-2 hospital-acquired infection rate is 12–15%. Hospital-acquired COVID-19 represents a serious public health issue, which is a problem that could create reluctance of patients to seek hospital treatment for fear of becoming infected. Healthcare personnel should do all that is necessary to address the problem and prevent further spreading, such as rigorous compliance with all procedures for containing the spread. From a medical-legal point of view, multiple aspects must be considered in order to understand whether the infection is a result of “malpractice” or an inevitable condition.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosario Barranco & Luca Vallega Bernucci Du Tremoul & Francesco Ventura, 2021. "Hospital-Acquired SARS-Cov-2 Infections in Patients: Inevitable Conditions or Medical Malpractice?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:489-:d:477449
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Septimiu Voidazan & Sorin Albu & Réka Toth & Bianca Grigorescu & Anca Rachita & Iuliu Moldovan, 2020. "Healthcare Associated Infections—A New Pathology in Medical Practice?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosario Barranco & Isabella Caristo & Filippo Spigno & Marta Ponzano & Alessio Trevisan & Alessio Signori & Antonio Di Biagio & Francesco Ventura, 2022. "Management of the Medico-Legal Dispute of Healthcare-Related SARS-CoV-2 Infections: Evaluation Criteria and Case Study in a Large University Hospital in Northwest Italy from 2020 to 2021," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Amir Elalouf & Rubanenko Moran & Bernstein Yaron & Michal Oman, 2022. "Pediatric Dental Emergency Visits and Treatment during Lockdown in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Kyung-Sook Cha & Eun-Man Kim, 2022. "A Topic Modeling Analysis of the Crisis Response Stage during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-15, July.

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