Failure to Properly Diagnose Sepsis Can Lead to Patient Death

Sepsis is a dangerous condition that requires urgent attention. Too often, the condition is not diagnosed and treated with urgency. Many medical malpractice lawsuits occur in the state of Maryland due to the inability to properly treat or manage a septic patient.

Maryland hospitals receive year. Throughout the United States, about 250,000 deaths occur each year due to sepsis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a highly expensive condition to treat. In fact, diagnosis and treatment of sepsis costs over 16 billion dollars each year.

Sepsis is a condition involving the infection of the bloodstream derived from some other source. The severe forms of this condition can cause organ failure, leading to death. Some of the symptoms that doctors and hospital should recognize as indications of possible sepsis include:

• Heart rate over 90
• Low oxygen saturation
• Body temperature less than 96.8 or more than 100.4 Fahrenheit
• Reduced blood pressure
• Multiple organ failure
• White blood cell count less than 4,000 or more than 12,000
• Respiratory rate over 20
• Cool, modeled, or blue skin (due to decreased blood flow)
• Changed mental state

Ignored symptoms equate with medical malpractice

Medical professionals sometimes breach the expected standard of care by failing to adequately investigate symptoms associated with sepsis. This breach of care can open the door for a medical malpractice lawsuit. One form of proper care would be to obtain a consultation from an infectious disease doctor when symptoms arise. However, doctors (other than infectious disease specialists) caring for patients who exhibit particular symptoms, such as those listed above, should recognize if an infection is present and antibiotics are needed urgently to treat the infection.

Doctors have many tools at their disposal to diagnose patients and treat them for infections, including infections involving the bloodstream such as sepsis. Diagnosis and treatment is available through blood cultures, antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and other means. Antibiotics are crucial when it comes to promptly treating many types of infections and helping to ensure the survival of the patient.

Lack of diagnosis and treatment can lead to septic shock

Septic shock is sometimes a later consequence of an improperly diagnosed or treated condition of sepsis. It occurs when the body is unable to cope with the existing infection. Sepsis itself is considered an inflammatory response of the body attempting to combat invading bacteria or other pathogens. The white blood cells and tissues release various mediators that cause exuberant activation of defense mechanisms to defeat the bacteria. If a patient slips into a condition of septic shock the infection itself must be identified and removed before the damage to the body can be stopped and reversed.

As a premier medical malpractice law firm in Maryland, Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. is committed to helping you recover compensation for your injuries due to a doctor’s failed diagnosis of sepsis or any other serious condition. You do have recourse under the law. Allow us to help you find a way forward to the financial recovery you need at this time. To set up a free case review, call us today at 410-730-7737 or send us a request through our contact form.