Legal aspects of nosocomial infection

There are numerous nosocomial infections in hospitals; because they are an unexpected and undesired result of treatment, patients are inclined to bring lawsuits in an endeavor to recover damages. Although some patients do recover damages for nosocomial infections, on the whole it is difficult to do so. However, developing proper standards within a health care facility and updating them through well-educated and informed infection control practitioners such as the nurse epidemiologist are effective methods of preventing lawsuits. Strong infection control committees with the assistance of the medical staff and the hospital staff can reduce the threat of lawsuits stemming from nosocomial infections.