Screening Recommendations For Sepsis and Diagnosis Delays
A delay in the diagnosis of sepsis increases the risk of mortality or long-term disability and may justify a claim for compensation.
Recommendations for assessment
The NICE guidance on sepsis provides the following quality statement:
"people with suspected sepsis are assessed using a structured set of observations to stratify risk of severe illness or death."
The new International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021 recommend the use of either the SIRS, NEWS or MEWS assessment tools to screen for sepsis or septic shock.
The guidelines further observe that early identification improves patient outcomes.
Screening tools
The SIRS, NEWS and MEWS screening tools have all been developed for use with patients at risk of or suspected of developing sepsis.
The systems use a variety of measures as indicators of patient health which, in combination, might suggest that the patient is developing sepsis.
Although the systems vary slightly, the tests they use relate to a patient's respiratory rate, their blood pressure and pulse rate, their temperature and level of consciousness. They may also include the white blood cell count and oxygen levels.
Diagnosis to treatment
Sepsis and septic shock are medical emergencies. If an adult has possible septic shock or a high possibility of sepsis, it is recommended that they are given intravenous antibiotics within one hour.
Sepsis is a dysfunctional immune system response to infection, often in the lungs or abdomen. It puts the patient at increased risk of severe illness, including possible multiple organ failure and death.
Patients who survive sepsis may suffer a range of disabling physical and psychological conditions which can affect their ability to function independently and their ability to work.
Medical negligence
Delays in both the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis can affect the patient's future dramatically.
If negligent medical delays cause the patient to suffer a poor long-term outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim would address issues of financial losses such as reduced income due to disability or costs of care where this is needed.
Claiming compensation
Compensation claims for sepsis medical negligence can be extremely complex and require the support of a specialist lawyer.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with extensive experience in sepsis claims.
Contact us today if you or a loved one are facing the difficulties caused by poor-quality medical care of sepsis.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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