Sepsis was once known as “blood poisoning,” believed to be the result of infection spreading to the bloodstream and causing organ failure. Now, medical professionals have a better understanding of the body’s dynamics and the cause and stages of sepsis.
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency.
According to the CDC, about 1.7 million people develop sepsis each year in the U.S., and about 350,000 people die from the final stage of sepsis. When medical providers in hospitals and nursing home caregivers fail to accurately diagnose and promptly and aggressively treat sepsis in its earliest stages, it is medical malpractice that often ends in wrongful death. If your loved one has passed due to inaccurate health providers and caregivers, reach out to our medical malpractice attorney in Chicago today.
Sepsis occurs due to the body’s natural defenses against infection. When the body identifies a pathogen, such as the bacteria that cause infection, it triggers cytokines meant to cause defensive inflammation within the body cells to fight the infection. Unfortunately, sometimes this immune system function overreacts, causing a cascade of cytokines known as a cytokine storm, which triggers massive inflammation within the cells. This systemic inflammatory response in the body is stage 1 sepsis.
Symptoms of stage 1 sepsis include fever or low body temperature, rapid pulse and breathing rate, low or high white blood cell count, confusion, and sweating.
When the body’s massive inflammatory response causes cell death, the second stage of sepsis occurs when the cell death begins to shut down organs. Low blood pressure and hyperfusion occur when decreased blood flow causes organ failure. During stage 2 sepsis, organs including the kidneys, lungs, heart, and central nervous system fail, causing symptoms such as the following:
A person in stage 2 sepsis requires critical care with organ support and IV antibiotics to prevent the onset of stage 3 sepsis.
During septic shock in stage 3 sepsis, tiny blood clots form, and the affected person experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure. The clots and loss of blood pressure cause further damage to critical organs, resulting in multiple organ failure. About half of those diagnosed with stage 3 sepsis die.
Symptoms of septic shock include confusion, disorientation, or loss of consciousness, little or no urine output, weak, rapid pulse, clammy skin, and chilled extremities.
Medical support for those in stage 3 sepsis includes medications to restore blood pressure and prevent multiple organ failure and death.
The elderly have weakened immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to deadly sepsis. Although those of any age may experience sepsis, it is most common and more difficult to treat in elderly patients.
When medical professionals and nursing home caregivers fail to diagnose sepsis and it results in organ failure or death, it’s a failure of their duty to treat a patient at the level of care that’s accepted by the medical community. A patient who suffered from preventable sepsis may recover compensation for their additional medical expenses, income loss, and pain and suffering through a medical malpractice claim.
If sepsis causes death, a family member can recover compensation through a wrongful death claim against the facility or individual provider.
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