Background:
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) occur when patients receiving
treatment in a health care setting develop an infection. They represent a major public health problem,
requiring the integration of clinical medicine, pathology, epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and, finally,
forensic medicine.
Methods:
The determination of cause of death is fundamental not only in the cases of presumed malpractice
to ascertain the causal link with any negligent behavior both of health facilities and of individual
professionals, but also for epidemiological purposes since it may help to know the global burden of
HCAIs, that remains undetermined because of the difficulty of gathering reliable diagnostic data. A
complete methodological approach, integrating clinical data by means of autopsy and histological and
laboratory findings aiming to identify and demonstrate the host response to infectious insult, is mandatory
in HCAIs related deaths.
Results:
Important tasks for forensic specialists in hospitals and health services centers are the promotion
of transparency and open communication by health-care workers on the risk of HCAIs, thus facilitating
patients’ engagement and the implementation of educational interventions for professionals
aimed to improve their knowledge and adherence to prevention and control measures.
Conclusion:
HCAIs are a major problem for patient safety in every health-care facility and system
around the world and their control and prevention represent a challenging priority for healthcare institution
and workers committed to making healthcare safer. Clinicians are at the forefront in the war
against HCAIs, however, also forensic pathologists have a remarkable role.
The patient who cannot afford the bus fare to the clinic
