Can I Claim Compensation for An Infection after a Knee Replacement?
It is not uncommon for a patient to develop an infection following surgery. It is a known risk and patients should be made aware of this when surgery is planned. If the prevention and management of infection is poor, however, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Surgical site infections
A patient undergoing surgery is susceptible to infection. Inevitably, surgery requires an incision to the patient's skin and this can allow bacteria which is normally outside the body, to gain access to the inside of the body.
If infection reaches a joint replacement, such as a hip or knee replacement, it can be difficult to treat and the impact on the patient can be significant. Therefore, every attempt should be made to prevent an infection from occurring and to halt the infection as quickly as possible, should it develop.
Possible impact of a Joint Replacement infection
The medical management of an infection at the site of a joint replacement can be both invasive and time-consuming. A number actions may be necessary to try to eradicate the infection completely including the following:
- The administration of intravenous antibiotics
- The surgical removal of all infected tissue
- The removal of the new joint
- A subsequent further operation to insert a second new joint if possible once the infection has been resolved
- The development of life-threatening sepsis
Treatment of the infection can require a number of additional surgical procedures, exposing the patient to all the associated risks of surgery and requiring the patient to remain in hospital for an extended period of time.
In addition, the long-term success of the joint replacement may well be compromised, leaving the patient with permanent mobility problems.
If this traumatic process is the result of substandard medical care around the time of the initial joint replacement, a compensation claim may be a suitable way forward.
Preventing infection in surgery
When a patient is about to undergo surgery, medical professionals should consider whether it is necessary for that patient to receive antibiotics before the surgical procedure. The purpose of this would be to try to prevent infection.
This may be particularly significant in the case of patients who are already susceptible to infection such as patients who have a weakened immune system or those who are diabetic or overweight.
A failure to provide these prophylactic antibiotics, allowing the patient to acquire the infection, may be regarded as substandard care and justification for a compensation claim.
Post-operative care
Patients who have recently undergone surgery should be closely monitored for signs of infection. This is particularly important for those groups already identified as at risk.
Where possible symptoms of infection develop such as a high temperature, patients require an immediate response. Where symptoms are not recognised or a response is slow, allowing the patient's condition to deteriorate significantly, the medical professionals involved may be regarded as having acted negligently.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one have suffered the significant, long-term impact of an infection following a knee replacement due to medical failings, you should get specialist legal advice.
Contact Glynns Solicitors today to discuss your situation with an experienced medical negligence solicitor.
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