Greece
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Sepsis is a relatively common issue in medical facilities. The human body does not always respond as it should to infections. In some cases, it may have an inappropriately strong reaction to an infection, which is essentially what sepsis is. The immune system malfunctions in response to an infection.
If left unchecked, sepsis can turn into septic shock and can cause organ damage, including brain damage. Septic shock causes a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can starve the brain of oxygen. The lack of oxygen to the brain can then cause a hypoxic/anoxic brain injury that has permanent medical consequences. The failure to properly identify and treat sepsis in its earliest stages could be medical malpractice.
Hospitals should have sepsis protocols in place
Any infection can lead to sepsis, which is why everyone working at a hospital should know the early warning signs. Proper sepsis protocols help ensure accurate diagnosis and early treatment before the condition worsens.
Patients need care for the symptoms of sepsis, as well as the underlying infection, often within the first hour of the condition developing. Having assessment and reporting tools available to all hospital workers can help ensure that the patient receives treatment in time before the sepsis progresses to full-blown septic shock.
There are limited windows of opportunity for different interventions, making early diagnosis and treatment critical for patients with sepsis. Although symptoms present somewhat differently for each person, nurses, physicians and other care providers should be able to identify sepsis even in its earliest stages.
When medical professionals overlook key warning signs or fail to communicate their concerns to others, the patient may not receive timely treatment. Their condition may worsen, resulting in brain damage and other lasting consequences.
In those circumstances, another medical professional could likely have prevented that poor outcome. The failure to diagnose and treat sepsis often involves a clear deviation from best medical practices, which in turn makes it a form of medical malpractice.
Patients adjusting to life with a sepsis-related brain injury or family members supporting a patient who experienced septic shock may need to consult with an attorney. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can compensate affected patients and their families for lost wages, increased medical expenses and other damages caused by medical negligence in a hospital.