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

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.

Automated summary

The hospital-acquired COVID-19 infection rate is 12-15% and has become a serious public health issue, leading to patient reluctance to seek medical treatment. Healthcare personnel should rigorously comply with all procedures to contain the spread and prevent further transmission of the virus. From a medical-legal perspective, various factors must be considered in order to determine whether the infection is a result of medical malpractice or an inevitable circumstance.