Despite the many advances that have been made in modern medicine such as antibiotics, vaccines, and intensive care, sepsis remains the main cause of death in cases involving infection. According to statistics, the number of deaths in the United States caused by sepsis increased from 154,150 in 2000 to 207,427 in 2007.
Despite the many advances that have been made in modern medicine such as antibiotics, vaccines, and intensive care, sepsis remains the main cause of death in cases involving infection. According to statistics, the number of deaths in the United States caused by sepsis increased from 154,150 in 2000 to 207,427 in 2007.
Also, the number of hospitalizations with sepsis has superseded those for myocardial infarction. Sepsis or septic shock causes far more deaths in the US than the number of deaths from breast cancer, prostate cancer, and AIDS combined.
What is Sepsis and its Causes?
Also known as septic shock, sepsis is a bacterial infection in the blood stream, which is usually the result of an infection. If it is not treated properly, it is a life-threatening disease. Immuno-compromised people, like the elderly, have typically weakened immune systems, putting them at high risk for sepsis.
Causes of Sepsis
Sepsis can be caused by a number of problems, including:
- Bedsores: Residents/patients of nursing homes and hospitals frequently develop bedsores. When a patient or resident is left unattended without moving for long periods of time, bedsores can develop. These sores in turn can result in not just serious wounds, but also infections that can later lead to sepsis.
- Wounds from Surgery: People who have had a surgery need medicine, such as antibiotics, so that they can heal properly. If they do not take their medication regularly, wounds take longer to heal, which could result in septic shock.
- Intravenous Lines: As intravenous lines are in contact with the blood stream, patients may develop sepsis if they are not taken care of properly. For instance, the site of insertion in the skin needs to be cleaned and sanitized regularly. If this is neglected, it can infect the area and lead to bacteria reaching the bloodstream.
- Undiagnosed Infections: Infections are not diagnosed most often in an emergency room setting in which a person goes to the hospital with infection symptoms or other unrecognized SIRS criteria. Ultimately, it may result in sepsis and septic shock.
Septic Shock Lawsuits
When the staff members of a hospital or nursing home do not provide proper care for patients or residents, it can result in sepsis. For example, one of the common ways that victims develop sepsis is from bedsores. Bedsores may be caused by nursing home staff members that fail to help residents move their body around periodically.
This inhibits the flow of oxygen and circulation to the body parts that remain motionless. Additionally, failing to bandage wounds properly, failing to provide medication and failing to closely monitor residents’ are among the many other reasons that hospitals may be liable to compensate the patient if sepsis or septic shock occurs.
If you or a loved one has suffered injury due to untreated or undiagnosed sepsis, you should contact the reliable and golden medical malpractice lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff, & Wolff of RMFW Law without further delay. You can discuss how to start filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the negligent medical party.
The first meeting is free. Give us a call today! What do you have to say? What is your version of what happened? We only take a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. You pay us nothing up front. RMFW Law looks forward to hearing from you.
