Compensation for Medical Failure to Suspect Sepsis
Failing to suspect that a patient may be developing sepsis can leave that individual with a fast-moving and life-threatening illness. It may also leave a medical professional facing a claim for compensation.
Sepsis Guidelines
The NICE guidelines on sepsis emphasise the need for medical practitioners to suspect sepsis when dealing with a patient who is feeling very unwell and is showing possible symptoms of infection. It also makes clear the need to take into account the risk factors for sepsis which may apply to their patient.
Possible signs and symptoms of sepsis
The patient may be suffering with chills and shivering. They may be breathless, with slurred speech. Their skin may be mottled or discoloured and they may not be passing urine.
The patient needs a thorough assessment for any clinical signs that their symptoms may be due to sepsis.
An evaluation of the patient's underlying vulnerability to sepsis should be a part of the assessment.
Patient risk factors
Categories of patient who are more likely to develop sepsis include the following:
- The very young and the very elderly
- Patients who have a weakened immune system, perhaps due to a pre-existing condition or due to medication or medical treatment which they are undergoing
- Women who are pregnant or who have recently given birth, especially if they have diabetes, a weak immune system or have undergone an instrumental or caesarean birth
- People who have recently undergone surgery or who may have an incision to the skin for another reason such as drug injection or an injury
Failing to consider that such a patient may be developing sepsis when their symptoms could indicate this may be regarded as substandard medical care.
The effects of sepsis
Sepsis is a dysfunctional immune system response to infection somewhere in the body. If undiagnosed and untreated, the patient's fundamental life-support systems can cease to function, they may suffer multiple organ failure and they may die.
Patients who survive sepsis can suffer permanent physical, mental and psychological problems as a result, limiting their capacity to function independently and reducing their ability to work and earn a living.
Claiming compensation
If a failure by medical professionals to suspect that the patient has sepsis leads to a delay in diagnosis and treatment, it is possible that the patient will suffer a poor long-term outcome. The relevant medical practitioner might be regarded as having provided negligent care
If this is the case, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation for the patient's pain, suffering and financial losses caused by the medical negligence.
Such legal procedures can be complex and time-consuming and require the involvement of a specialist lawyer.
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience of sepsis compensation claims. Contact us today to talk to one of our team of specialist solicitors.
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