Failure or Delay in Diagnosis of Sepsis Lawyers

Sepsis describes the presence of bacteria and toxins in the tissues, typically due to infection. Post-operative infections are some of the most common causes of sepsis in patients. Other causes include wound infections, pneumonia, abdominal and kidney infections, or bloodstream infections.

Most types of infections can turn into sepsis if left untreated. Sepsis occurs when the body’s normal response to an infection triggers an inflammatory response, causing tissue and organ damage.

Signs and symptoms of sepsis include the following:

• Abnormally high or low body temperature
• Rapid heart rate – faster than 90 beats per minute
• Rapid breathing – faster than 20 breaths per minute
• Difficulty breathing
• Decrease in the amount of urine
• Abnormal heart palpitations
• Reduced platelet count
• Abdominal pain
• Change in mental state

Sepsis is more common in the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, those who are already sick, those in intensive care units, those with invasive medical devices such as breathing tubes, and those with wounds or injuries.

Prompt detection of sepsis is critical to treat it before it progresses into severe sepsis or septic shock. Failure to diagnose sepsis could eventually cause loss of blood flow to vital organs, organ failure, gangrene, amputation of limbs, surgeries, or even death.