Negligent Clinical Assessment for Necrotising Fasciitis
Any suspicion that a patient might be developing necrotising fasciitis should prompt a thorough assessment and may necessitate an immediate referral to hospital for further tests and treatment.
Suspecting sepsis
Necrotising fasciitis can occur anywhere in the body but is most common in the limbs and abdomen.
The patient may appear to be suffering from a spreading soft-tissue infection. If they are experiencing intense pain, redness or skin discolouration, tenderness and swelling, they may have necrotising fasciitis.
It is important to assess for any other factors, signs and symptoms which might suggest necrotising fasciitis.
Is the patient exhibiting other infection symptoms such as chills or a fever or rapid breathing?
Has the patient recently suffered a cut to the skin such as a surgical incision, an injection or a graze or accident causing trauma? This could have allowed bacteria to reach the deep, soft tissue beneath the skin where necrotising fasciitis can spread rapidly.
If the patient is elderly or diabetic or suffers with a suppressed immune system, they may be more susceptible to this appalling infection.
Medical responses
If a patient is suspected of having necrotising fasciitis, it is a medical emergency. Associated with a high mortality rate and appalling disability in those who survive, it is essential that surgical debridement is initiated at the soonest possible moment.
Removal of infected tissue needs to be continued until all signs of infection have gone. This may require several debridement procedures and necessitate the removal of considerable areas of tissue.
The patient will also require intravenous antibiotics, identification of the underlying bacteria and life-support whilst medical professionals tackle this life-threatening illness.
Long-term outcomes in necrotising fasciitis
Once the infection has been removed, the patient can begin the process of recovery. The degree to which their body and function has been damaged by this shocking infection will depend, in part, on how quickly their condition was diagnosed and treated.
Where diagnosis is delayed, the level of disability resulting from necrotising fasciitis can be significant. A patient may even need to have a limb removed in order to prevent the further spread of the infection.
If a patient suffers a life-changing outcome because their diagnosis and treatment were delayed, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
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