title: Medicolegal Implications of Nosocomial Infections: A Case Report of Aspergillus Contamination during Cardiac Surgery.
abstract: Nosocomial infections have become a major issue of public health and lead to an increasing number of suits for damages. We present a rare case of Aspergillus contamination during cardiac surgery, describe the medicolegal investigation, and present the new system for compensation of bodily injury after nosocomial infection in France, based on the law of March 4, 2002 on patient rights and quality in the health system. This case demonstrates the limits of compensation for nosocomial infections on the grounds of national solidarity. The expert report requested by the regional commission for conciliation and compensation is of fundamental importance in enabling the commission to decide between fault and inherent risk of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology APHM, CHU Timone, 13385, Cedex 5, Marseille, France.|CNRS, EFS, ADES UMR 7268, Aix Marseille Université, 13916, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Lucile
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tuchtan
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology APHM, CHU Timone, 13385, Cedex 5, Marseille, France.|CNRS, EFS, ADES UMR 7268, Aix Marseille Université, 13916, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Marie-Dominique
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Piercecchi-Marti
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Hôpital de la Timone, 264, rue Saint Pierre, 13385, Marseille, Cedex 5, France.
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dumon
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Thoracique et Cardiovasculaire, Department of General Surgery, APHM, CHU Timone, 13385, Cedex 5, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Métras
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology APHM, CHU Timone, 13385, Cedex 5, Marseille, France.|CNRS, EFS, ADES UMR 7268, Aix Marseille Université, 13916, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Léonetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Pathology APHM, CHU Timone, 13385, Cedex 5, Marseille, France.|CNRS, EFS, ADES UMR 7268, Aix Marseille Université, 13916, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bartoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications*; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D035881:Compensation and Redress / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D005602:France; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: 
  Aspergillus flavus
  ; endocarditis; forensic science; legal compensation; nosocomial infections