Medical malpractice can involve intentional misconduct or possibly professional negligence. When physicians and other licensed care providers do not do what is necessary for patient safety or make significant errors while providing care, the people affected by their mistakes and negligence may have grounds for a malpractice lawsuit.
Many things can go wrong while people receive professional medical attention, including the development of an infection that leads to sepsis. Sepsis can have devastating consequences, including septic shock and even premature mortality.
If hospital workers fail to identify clear warning signs of sepsis in its early stages, their professional failure could constitute medical malpractice.
What are the signs of sepsis?
People often conflate sepsis, which is a bodily reaction, with the infection that triggered the reaction. When hospital workers know that a patient has already developed an infection or when they are at risk of an infection due to an incision or open injury, monitoring the patient for signs of sepsis is important for prompt medical intervention.
Sepsis can progress into a life-threatening condition within hours. The top warning signs of sepsis include:
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- A sense of lightheadedness
- Unexplained shivering
- Sweating without reason
- Confusion or a shift in mood
Medical professionals should be aware of how sepsis presents and ready to respond assertively in cases where patients show warning signs of sepsis, as the condition can progress rapidly in a matter of hours.
Establishing that another health care professional could have diagnosed a patient and intervened in time to stave off the worst consequences could help people pursue compensation after experiencing serious medical negligence. A successful medical malpractice lawsuit can cover care costs, lost wages and other financial consequences triggered by unreasonably delayed medical intervention.
