Delayed Diagnosis of Sepsis

Delayed Diagnosis of Sepsis: A Critical Medical Malpractice Issue

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body’s response to infection causes widespread inflammation, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, sepsis can progress rapidly, resulting in severe complications. The long-term effects of sepsis can include permanent organ damage, cognitive impairments, amputations, and post-sepsis syndrome, which encompasses fatigue, muscle weakness, and psychological distress. Given these severe consequences, timely identification and intervention are crucial in preventing disability and saving lives. Lupetin & Unatin has extensive experience handling cases in which a patient suffered irreparable harm due to a delayed diagnosis of sepsis caused by medical malpractice, helping victims and their families obtain justice and compensation.

Understanding the Stages of Sepsis

Sepsis can be classified into different stages based on severity:

• Sepsis: The initial stage occurs when the body’s response to infection triggers systemic inflammation. Symptoms include fever, rapid heart rate, confusion, and difficulty breathing.
• Severe Sepsis: If left untreated, sepsis can progress to severe sepsis, characterized by organ dysfunction, such as kidney or liver failure.
• Septic Shock: The most critical stage, septic shock, occurs when blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels, leading to multi-organ failure and a high risk of death.

How Common is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a major public health concern in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million adults develop sepsis annually, and nearly 350,000 die as a result. It is also a leading cause of hospital readmissions, contributing to significant healthcare costs and long-term morbidity.

Risk Factors for Sepsis

Certain populations are at higher risk for developing sepsis, including:

• Medical conditions: Diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and weakened immune systems increase susceptibility.
• Infections: Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections can all trigger sepsis.
• Age: Infants, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses face heightened risks.
• Medical interventions: Recent surgeries, catheter use, and prolonged hospital stays raise the likelihood of developing sepsis.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Sepsis

Early recognition is crucial in improving sepsis outcomes. Common symptoms include:

• High fever or abnormally low body temperature
• Rapid heartbeat and breathing
• Confusion or altered mental state
• Extreme pain or discomfort
• Cold, clammy, or discolored skin

Sepsis is diagnosed through clinical evaluation, blood tests to detect infection and organ dysfunction, and imaging studies like CT scans or ultrasounds to identify infection sources.

Common Scenarios Leading to Sepsis and Delayed Diagnosis

Patients can develop sepsis in various healthcare scenarios, and delays in diagnosis and treatment often occur due to medical negligence, including:

1. Emergency Room Negligence: ER physicians misinterpret symptoms of sepsis as minor illnesses like flu or gastrointestinal upset, delaying crucial intervention.
2. Postoperative Complications: After surgery, patients may develop infections from surgical sites or catheter insertions, which healthcare providers fail to monitor or treat promptly.
3. Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs): Infections acquired during hospital stays due to inadequate sterilization, poor hygiene practices, or improper handling of catheters and IV lines.
4. Delayed Antibiotic Administration: Healthcare providers fail to administer broad-spectrum antibiotics within the critical first hour after recognizing sepsis symptoms.
5. Failure in Communication: Miscommunication between healthcare team members leads to delayed recognition and response to worsening symptoms.
6. Neglect in Intensive Care Units: ICU staff failing to adequately monitor patients, missing early signs of organ dysfunction or deterioration.
7. Inadequate Follow-Up: Patients discharged prematurely or without adequate follow-up instructions, leading to delayed recognition of sepsis progression.

The Impact of Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis Delayed diagnosis significantly worsens outcomes. Every hour of delay in administering appropriate antibiotics and supportive care substantially increases mortality risk. Survivors often face lifelong disabilities, amputations, chronic organ dysfunction, and cognitive impairments, profoundly impacting their quality of life.

The Impact of Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis

A delay in diagnosing and treating sepsis can have devastating consequences. Without timely antibiotic administration and supportive care, sepsis can rapidly progress to septic shock, increasing the likelihood of death. Each hour of delayed treatment significantly raises mortality rates. Survivors may suffer from lifelong disabilities, including amputations, chronic organ dysfunction, and cognitive impairments.

When is Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis Considered Medical Malpractice?

Failure to diagnose and treat sepsis promptly can constitute medical malpractice when healthcare providers do not adhere to the standard of care. Common instances include:

• Misdiagnosis: A patient presenting with sepsis symptoms is incorrectly diagnosed with a less severe condition, delaying treatment.
• Failure to order timely tests: A physician neglects to perform necessary blood tests or imaging studies to confirm sepsis.
• Delayed antibiotic administration: Hospitals fail to initiate broad-spectrum antibiotics within the critical first hour of recognition.
• Inadequate monitoring: Healthcare providers do not recognize worsening symptoms or fail to escalate care when necessary.

Real-World Case Examples of Sepsis Malpractice

1. Failure to Diagnose and Treat Sepsis: A $2.8 million settlement was reached involving the death of a man due to the failure to diagnose and treat sepsis.
2. Untreated Sepsis Leading to Death: A $1.76 million settlement was obtained in a case where a physician failed to recognize and treat sepsis, resulting in the patient’s death.
3. Delayed Identification of Sepsis: A $1.1 million settlement was achieved in a medical malpractice case concerning the failure to timely identify the signs and symptoms of sepsis in a 48-year-old patient, leading to severe complications.
4. Unrecognized Sepsis Resulting in Death: A $2.85 million settlement was secured for the family of a ventilator-dependent man who died due to unrecognized sepsis during pulmonary rehabilitation.

These cases underscore the critical importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment of sepsis to prevent severe harm or death.

What to Do if You Suspect Medical Negligence in Sepsis Diagnosis

If you or a loved one has suffered serious harm due to a delayed sepsis diagnosis, seeking legal counsel is crucial. We recommend that you contact a medical malpractice attorney in your area – most operate on the contingent fee basis, which means you only pay if your attorney is able to recover monetary compensation for you. Don’t delay – in Pennsylvania, there is a two year statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases. 

How Lupetin & Unatin Can Help You

At Lupetin & Unatin, we understand the catastrophic consequences of delayed sepsis diagnosis. Our experienced Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyers are committed to securing justice for victims of medical negligence. If you or a loved one has experienced a delayed sepsis diagnosis, contact us for a free consultation.

If you suspect medical malpractice played a role in a delayed sepsis diagnosis, don’t wait. Call Lupetin & Unatin at (412) 281-4100 or send us an email to schedule a free case evaluation.