Sepsis Awareness Month – September
September is recognised as Sepsis Awareness Month in England and Wales. During this time, healthcare organisations, charities, and advocacy groups, such as the UK Sepsis Trust, work to raise awareness about the dangers of sepsis, educate the public about its symptoms, and encourage early intervention.
Sepsis Awareness Month plays a critical role in spreading knowledge about this silent killer, which can help save lives by promoting early detection and timely treatment.
In this blog, we will discuss the impacts and symptoms of sepsis, providing information to help you recognise this serious condition. Additionally, we will discuss how to make a clinical negligence claim if sepsis was not properly diagnosed and managed, ensuring you understand the steps involved in seeking justice and support.
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a dangerous condition that happens when the body’s reaction to an infection damages its tissues and organs. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation, blood clotting, and, in severe cases, multi-organ failure.
Sepsis can develop from any type of infection, including:
- pneumonia,
- urinary tract infections (UTIs),
- skin infections, or
- abdominal infections such as appendicitis.
Unfortunately, sepsis remains a significant public health challenge in the UK. According to the UK Sepsis Trust, over 245,000 people are affected by sepsis yearly. Sadly, 48,000 people die from the condition annually, making it one of the leading causes of death in the country. These figures highlight the importance of early detection and prompt treatment.
Despite the significant advances in healthcare, the mortality rate for sepsis remains high due to its rapid progression. Patients may deteriorate quickly, and if sepsis is not identified and treated swiftly, it can lead to long-term complications or death.
Symptoms of Sepsis
Early detection of sepsis is critical to improving survival rates. The symptoms of sepsis can vary widely but often include:
- High or low body temperature (fever, chills, or hypothermia)
- Confusion or disorientation
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Fast heart rate
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Clammy, pale, or mottled skin
- Reduced urine output (indicating kidney involvement)
In more severe cases, sepsis can progress to septic shock.
What is septic shock?
Septic shock occurs when blood pressure drops dangerously low, leading to organ failure. This stage requires immediate medical intervention to prevent irreversible damage or death.
Risk Factors for Sepsis
Anyone can develop sepsis, but some individuals are at higher risk, including:
- The very young and elderly
- Those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients
- People with chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, or lung disease
- Individuals recovering from surgery or wounds
- Those with invasive devices such as catheters or ventilators
Clinical Negligence Claim and Sepsis
Given the high stakes, healthcare professionals are expected to recognise the signs of sepsis promptly. If a patient with sepsis does not receive timely diagnosis and treatment, the condition can escalate rapidly, leading to permanent injury or death. In such cases, affected patients or their families may be entitled to pursue a clinical negligence claim.
Key Elements of a Successful Clinical Negligence Claim
To bring a successful claim for clinical negligence, several factors must be proven:
- Duty of care: The healthcare provider had a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care. If they failed to meet this duty, it could be a valid reason for a claim.
- Breach of duty: The healthcare provider failed to act according to the standard of care expected in identifying and treating sepsis.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly led to harm or injury that would not have occurred had sepsis been promptly detected and treated.
- Damages: The patient suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result of the delayed or inadequate care.
When is a Sepsis Negligence Claim Viable?
Common situations that may give rise to a sepsis-related negligence claim include:
- Failure to diagnose: If the early warning signs of sepsis were missed or misdiagnosed as a less severe condition.
- Delayed treatment: Once diagnosed, sepsis requires immediate treatment, usually with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. A delay in initiating this care could result in permanent harm.
- Inadequate monitoring: Patients at risk of sepsis should be carefully monitored for signs of deterioration. Failure to do so may contribute to a worsening of their condition.
- Communication failures: Poor communication between healthcare professionals can lead to missed or delayed diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.
Pursuing a Clinical Negligence Claim
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to delayed or inadequate care for sepsis, it is essential to seek professional, legal advice. A clinical negligence claim can help provide financial compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Future medical care and rehabilitation costs
- Costs of adaptations to living arrangements
Requirements for Pursuing a Claim
To support a claim, it will be necessary to obtain detailed medical records and expert opinions to demonstrate that substandard care directly contributed to the harm experienced.
How to Start a Sepsis Negligence Claim?
If you or someone you know has been affected by sepsis, timely action is essential, both for obtaining the necessary medical treatment and for pursuing any potential legal claims.
Sepsis is a serious and often fatal condition affecting thousands in the UK every year. While early detection and treatment can save lives, delays or missed diagnoses can have devastating consequences. In such cases, patients and their families may be entitled to bring a clinical negligence claim to seek compensation for the harm suffered. It is important for those affected to seek medical and legal advice as soon as possible to explore their options.
At Phoenix Solicitors, our experienced team specialises in handling clinical negligence claims with compassion and expertise. We are here to guide you through every step of the claim process, alleviating the stress of making a claim.
Contact us today to receive the dedicated support and advice you need. You can call 0151 3063694 or email ab@phoenixlegalsolicitors.co.uk
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