Sepsis, if not caught early, can be deadly

Many Houston residents have had medical emergencies that have required immediate treatment. Most of the time, the treatment they receive is appropriate for their condition and they get better. But, occasionally a person can receive a wrong diagnosis which leads to a worsened condition or even death.
Sepsis is a very serious medical condition that if not diagnosed early can lead to a patient’s death. There have been many instances where patients have presented themselves to the emergency room or their doctor with symptoms that have been missed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that between 1 and 3 million Americans are diagnosed with sepsis each year. 15% to 30% of these patients die.
Around 70% of people who have recently been a patient in a hospital or have a chronic disease that requires medical care get sepsis. It is important that patients and their doctors recognize the signs of sepsis and receive treatment immediately. These symptoms can include fever, clammy skin, confusion, extreme pain, shortness of breath and a high heart rate. Common infections that lead to sepsis include pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and skin infection. Staph, strep and e. coli infections can also cause sepsis. Sepsis can have a lasting impact on a person, including kidney problems.
If a person believes their sepsis infection was not diagnosed properly and there was delayed treatment they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in medical malpractice. An attorney can help the family determine what happened and get the answers they deserve. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
Source: cbsnews.com, “Sepsis: Deadly infection is a ‘race against time’“, Ashley Welch, Aug. 23, 2016