Making a Claim For Poor-Quality Care of Necrotising Fasciitis
Thankfully, necrotising fasciitis is a rare infection. However, when it does occur, it is essential that the patient receives emergency and competent care. Any failings by medical professionals may prove fatal and justify a claim for compensation.
Poor or substandard care of necrotising fasciitis can take a variety of forms and occur at different stages of the management of this appalling, life-threatening illness.
Preventing necrotising fasciitis
If a patient is about to undergo a surgical procedure it is important that they are assessed for their vulnerability to infection. If necessary, they should receive prophylactic antibiotics. This is a dose of antibiotics given prior to surgery in order to try to prevent the patient from succumbing to infection during surgery when they are susceptible.
If a patient who is considered to be ‘at risk' does not receive prophylactic antibiotics before surgery, it may be considered to be substandard care.
Diagnosing necrotising fasciitis
Patients who have recently undergone surgery should be carefully monitored for signs and symptoms of infection, especially a life-threatening infection such as necrotising fasciitis.
Such assessment should be particularly scrupulous where 'at-risk' patients are concerned such as those who may be suffering from diabetes or who have a weakened immune system.
A failure to check for signs of infection or a failure to examine a patient who is exhibiting symptoms of infection may be regarded as substandard care.
Whether is hospital or at a GP surgery, there should be a high level of suspicion of severe infection in patients who present with intense pain, redness, swelling and tenderness in the limbs or the abdomen. Where the patient has suffered a wound to the skin, this may be particularly significant as it may have allowed bacteria to gain access to the deep soft tissue of the body.
A failure to refer a patient for further investigation when they may be showing symptoms of necrotising fasciitis could be regarded as substandard care. This shocking infection can be difficult to diagnose and a failure by a medical professional to seek specialist expertise may prove fatal to the patient.
Delayed treatment
Delaying the initiation of treatment for a patient with necrotising fasciitis is likely to reduce the quality of the long-term health of that patient. Necrotising fasciitis is a swift-moving infection which destroys the body's tissue and the later treatment is commenced, the more likely the patient is to die.
Even where the patient survives the infection, a delay in treatment is, nonetheless, likely to mean a worse outcome than would have been the case with prompt and skilled attention. The patient is likely to suffer more scarring, deformity and disability, including the possibility of losing a limb.
The psychological impact is likely to be more profound, too.
Making a claim for compensation
If you or a loved one are suffering from the appalling impact of necrotising fasciitis due to a failure in the medical management of your condition, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation. A successful claim can provide recompense not only for your pain and suffering but also, and crucially, for any financial losses caused by the negligence such as a loss of income.
Glynns Solicitors has supported numerous clients in making highly-successful claims for compensation relating to the medical care of this appalling infection.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor about your experience and the suitability of making a compensation claim.
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