Sepsis Antibiotic Delays
The BBC's Panorama programme has revealed figures which show that 37% of patients with suspected sepsis are not being given potentially life-saving antibiotics early enough.
Current sepsis statistics
Cases of sepsis appear to be rising globally and a study undertaken by The Sepsis Trust earlier this year suggests that the UK suffers approximately 250,000 cases of the life-threatening infection every year. With over 40,000 people dying of the illness annually in this country, it is believed that over 10,000 of these cases die from the infection unnecessarily.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's over-reaction to an infection.
Its early symptoms are high temperature, chills, fast breathing, leading to nausea, confusion and, ultimately, multiple organ failure as the patient's blood pressure drops and organs are deprived of oxygen.
New screening recommendations have been proposed and are designed to try to identify patients who may be likely to develop sepsis and therefore require early administration of antibiotics.
Sepsis treatment guidelines
The International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis, issued last year by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, state clearly that sepsis is a medical emergency and recommend that broad-spectrum antibiotics be administered within one hour where a patient is suspected of suffering with the infection.
In order for this course of action to be implemented, however, requires an effective sepsis screening programme to be in place and Panorama's research has suggested that this is not the case in many NHS Trusts.
The Department of Health's Approach
In recognition of the growing sepsis crisis, the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, also launched a campaign in December 2016, aimed at the general public to raise awareness of sepsis and its early symptoms.
This campaign emphasised the need to take prompt action if anyone felt that they were developing symptoms of sepsis.
Failure to administer antibiotics
Sepsis is a fast-moving infection. A failure to administer antibiotics promptly to a patient suspected of suffering with the illness may be the difference between life and death.
It would appear from Panorama's investigations that many hospitals are still not implementing the new guidelines and failing to give patients the best chance of survival.
Medical Negligence
If you or a loved one have suffered the appalling effects of late diagnosed sepsis, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence cases.
Medical Negligence
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