Protecting Yourself From Sepsis

In the United States, 215,000 people die annually from sepsis and another 750,000 cases of sepsis require treatment each year. In the era of modern medicine, sepsis remains a well known medical risk. Yet despite an increased understanding and awareness of this life threatening medical condition, physicians often fail to quickly and effectively diagnose and treat sepsis. The results of these medical failures are often tragic for patients and their families.It is crucial for sepsis to be caught early and treated appropriately. Because it is so common, physicians should always monitor their patients carefully for any signs of developing the condition. Physicians should immediately recognize symptoms and implement comprehensive treatment protocols that can prevent the condition and ultimately save lives.What is Sepsis?Sepsis occurs in reaction to the body's response to an infection. Normally, when you are sick, your body will send out an immune response to locate the infection and try to kill it. When the body sends out too big of a response, it sets off a chain of events that result in inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels, which then causes the body to begin clotting blood. The blood clots prevent these areas from receiving enough blood, causing tissue damage.The infections that may result in sepsis normally are bacterial infections, but they can also be infections caused by viruses, fungus or parasites. The most common places for the initial infection to develop are the abdomen, lungs, pelvis or urinary tract. Some of the types of infections that may lead to sepsis include:• Appendicitis• Cellulitis (skin infection)• Kidney infections• Urine infections• Meningitis• Peritonitis (abdominal infection)• PneumoniaSymptoms may include:• Fever or chills• Fast heart rate• Difficulty breathing or other respiratory distress• Skin rash• Hypothermia (decreased temperature)• Nausea with or without vomiting• Diarrhea• Low blood pressure• High or low white blood cell count• Abnormal kidney and/or liver functionIf not caught and treated quickly, sepsis can result in gangrene, organ dysfunction and/or organ failure and ultimately, death. If the physician delays in diagnosing sepsis, or fails to correctly diagnose or treat the condition altogether, the patient can suffer severe damage. Victims of sepsis may require breathing and/or feeding tubes, kidney dialysis or other invasive treatments to save their lives.How Can an Attorney Help?Sepsis is a very serious medical condition that requires quick action and treatment by a trained medical professional. If you or your loved one came to the hospital with sepsis or developed sepsis after a surgery or while you were in the hospital for treatment of another illness and your physician failed to timely diagnose and/or correctly treat your condition, you may be able to seek legal action against the negligent physician.Physicians owe their patients a duty of care to provide them with the appropriate standard of medical care. When physicians breach this duty and provide care that falls below the accepted level provided by other physicians in similar circumstances, the patient has the legal right to bring a medical malpractice claim against the physician.An attorney experienced in bringing medical malpractice cases can speak with you about what happened in your case and help you determine the best course of action to take. Not every case of sepsis may give rise to a medical malpractice claim, but if your physician was negligent in providing for your care or the care of a loved one, and you or your loved one were injured as a result, you may have the right to compensation for your injuries.