A woman who claims she contracted salmonella food poisoning 12 days after being admitted to a Cork hospital with a kidney complaint has begun an action for damages in the High Court.
Catherine Moloney claims the condition has resulted in irreversible toxic damage to her central nervous system, which regulates bowel action.
James O'Driscoll SC, for Ms Moloney, of Spring View Terrace, Commons Road, Cork, said his client went into the Mercy Hospital for a routine kidney check-up on October 28th, 1985. Her period there was extended and she contracted salmonella 12 days after being admitted.
It was Ms Moloney's case that the food poisoning was caused by the negligence of the hospital. Unfortunately, the symptoms had caused permanent ongoing problems and were related to the damage caused by the salmonella, he said.
He said the court would be satisfied from the evidence that the bug which caused the problem was in the food his client was given while in the hospital.
Counsel said he would be calling expert evidence to the effect that salmonella arises from hygiene problems, failure to wash hands and failure to cook food correctly.
Ms Moloney had a private room in the hospital and the food she received certainly included chicken, a widely known carrier of salmonella, Mr O'Driscoll said. If she had contracted salmonella before going into the hospital, it would have manifested itself within 24 hours, he said.
Counsel said Ms Moloney had kidney problems going back to 1977. Between April 1983 and 1985 she had a number of investigative procedures. Tests carried out showed she was clear and medical evidence would be given that she did not have any bowel problems prior to entry to the hospital.
Counsel said the kidney problems leading to Ms Moloney's admission were quite different and unrelated to what she had contracted. As a result of contracting salmonella, she had ongoing problems such as recurring abdominal problems and had many operations to try to alleviate the problem. The damage to the nerves in the bowel had caused extensive disability and pain.
The Mercy Hospital denies Ms Moloney contracted salmonella while a patient at the hospital. The hospital also denies negligence or breach of duty. The hearing continues next Tuesday.