Medical Malpractice Attorney in San Francisco, California
How do you determine whether sepsis or infection occurred due to malpractice?
How do you determine whether sepsis or infection occurred due to malpractice?
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Infections or sepsis are not often the direct result of malpractice; infections can occur naturally due to the presence of pathogens. The critical question is whether healthcare providers recognize these issues and respond promptly before the infection overwhelms a person’s body.
In cases of sepsis, treatable infections can become deadly in under 12 hours. When patients report feeling unwell, it is part of the doctor’s responsibility to discern whether the cause is a serious, life-threatening condition or a less severe issue. There are well-defined guidelines to assist doctors in making these determinations. However, when doctors fail to follow these guidelines or dismiss patients’ concerns, the outcomes can be tragic. The firm has seen numerous cases where clients have died or lost limbs because sepsis was not identified and treated early enough.
San Francisco, CA medical malpractice attorney Nathaniel Leeds discusses how he determines whether sepsis or infection occurred due to malpractice. It’s not common for infection or sepsis to be the outcome of medical malpractice. Infections are a natural occurrence, with pathogens present in various environments, and they can lead to infections in individuals. The critical factor is whether healthcare providers recognize these situations and respond promptly before the infection becomes overwhelming for the patient’s body.
In cases of sepsis, treatable infections can rapidly escalate to life-threatening conditions within a matter of hours. Patients often communicate general discomfort to their doctors, stating that they “aren’t feeling well.” It is the responsibility of healthcare professionals to discern when these vague symptoms might indicate a potentially life-threatening condition.
Clear and well-defined guidelines exist to assist doctors in making these determinations. However, when doctors fail to adhere to these guidelines or dismiss patients’ concerns, the consequences can be tragic. In some instances, clients have tragically lost their lives due to sepsis not being recognized and treated promptly, while others have suffered the loss of limbs because of delayed appreciation of sepsis.
