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

Rosario Barranco, Luca Vallega Bernucci Du Tremoul and Francesco Ventura
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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

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-9

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; hospital-acquired infection; legal medicine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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