Suing the NHS for Sepsis Negligence
Sepsis is one of the UK's biggest killers. Around 250,000 people are believed to develop sepsis in the UK every year and over 40,000 die from it. Preventing and reducing the occurrence of sepsis are crucial goals for the NHS. Equally, failing to prevent it and poor management of the condition may cause a lifetime of physical, practical and financial problems.
It may also justify the initiation of a claim for compensation.
Preventing post-surgical sepsis
Sepsis can develop as the body responds disproportionately to infection. It is vital, therefore, that every precaution is taken to prevent patients in hospital from succumbing to infection.
A patient undergoing surgery is susceptible to infection. Surgery inevitably requires an incision to the skin and an infection can be the result. Some categories of patient are more vulnerable in this situation than others, such as the elderly, the very young or those suffering from diabetes, and it may be necessary to provide prophylactic antibiotics prior to any surgical procedure to try to prevent an infection developing.
Where a patient develops an infection and sepsis, due to a failure to consider that prophylactic antibiotics might have been necessary, the relevant medical professionals may be regarded as having provided a substandard level of care. If the patient suffers a poor long-term outcome as a result, a compensation claim may be helpful.
Care of susceptible patients in hospital
A high level of hygiene and high quality care in general is crucial to the well-being of hospital patients and the prevention of infection.
The development of pressure sores or the negligent spread of infection from one patient to another can lead to a sepsis response and thrust the patient into a vortex of severe illness which they may not survive.
Many patients make a good recovery from sepsis but many are left with on-going symptoms varying from organ dysfunction to lethargy, depression, breathlessness and anxiety.
Failure to diagnose sepsis
Sepsis requires an immediate medical response. The International Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis in 2016 stated the need for antibiotics to be administered within one hour of recognition of sepsis symptoms.
A delay in the diagnosis of sepsis can, therefore, allow the patient to deteriorate and suffer a poor long-term outcome.
The typical symptoms of severe breathlessness, shivers or a high temperature in combination with lack of urine, discoloured skin and a feeling of being extremely unwell should raise the suspicion of sepsis and warrant further investigation immediately.
Untreated, sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure and the death of the patient.
Medical negligence
It is estimated that approximately 10,000 sepsis deaths every year could be avoided. The government and health organisations regularly attempt to raise awareness of the symptoms amongst both the medical profession and the general public. Reviews of symptoms attempt to find quicker paths to diagnosis and identify the best treatment pathway.
Nonetheless, sepsis is occasionally the product of poor medical care and, where the patient suffers poor long-term health as a result of the negligence, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering the on-going impact of sepsis due to poor medical care, contact Glynns today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor about suing the NHS.
It might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Can We Help You With A Medical Negligence Enquiry?
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
"I would like to say a big thank you to you for making this whole process easy and relatively painless. You kept me informed throughout and you were always polite and courteous in all forms of communication. I would not hesitate to recommend you to friends and family, so a really big thank you and I wish you all the best in the future."
Mr A.
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
Free Medical Negligence Guide
'7 Questions You Must Ask Before Choosing A Medical Negligence Solicitor'