Death from Septic Shock
The risk of dying from septic shock is greater than with sepsis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital to the patient's survival.
What is septic shock?
Septic shock is defined by The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock as 'a subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities are associated with a greater risk of mortality than with sepsis alone.'
The mortality rate associated with this devastating illness, even when undergoing treatment in hospital, is thought to be greater than 40%.
Where a patient with sepsis fails to respond to treatment to maintain their blood pressure and blood lactate concentration, they may be regarded as suffering from septic shock.
Effects of septic shock
A patient suffering with septic shock is probably starting to experience a failure of their life support systems.
The drop in their blood pressure may mean that their major organs will start to fail and the patient is in danger of dying.
Such patients are likely to require an extensive period of life-support in an intensive care unit whilst they recover.
Treating septic shock
A patient diagnosed with septic shock is a medical emergency. They require immediate resuscitation to prevent multiple organ failure.
Intravenous antibiotics should be given to a patient with septic shock as soon as possible and definitely within one hour of diagnosis in order to try to tackle the infection underlying the septic response. An investigation as to the nature of this infection should also be undertaken
Fluids should also be administered urgently to maintain life support systems.
Symptoms of septic shock
Signs that a patient might be developing sepsis or septic shock could include the following:
- A high temperature
- Shivering/chills
- Fast heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
If the patient's blood pressure drops and they start to become confused and suffering with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they may be moving into a state of septic shock.
Diagnosing septic shock
Once a patient begins to experience septic shock, their chances of survival are reducing. Prompt diagnosis and emergency treatment are vital to try to prevent this deterioration.
Patients suspected of developing sepsis require rapid screening in order to identity the associated alterations in blood pressure, breathing and mental state that should prompt treatment.
Medical negligence
If you or a loved one have suffered with sepsis or septic shock due to a failure to recognise and respond to the symptoms in a timely fashion, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation for your subsequent suffering.
Contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your situation with an experienced medical negligence solicitor.
Call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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