Concerns about anesthesia and major errors dominate patient anxieties before operations. Most patients experience issue-free procedures and enjoy a relatively smooth recovery after surgery. However, post-surgical infections are a serious issue.
Even those who remain in the hospital after a procedure are vulnerable to infections, including devastating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Sterilization is a necessary component of any surgical procedure. The operating space and all equipment must be sterile to minimize the risk of infection.
However, remaining sedentary after a procedure and staying in the hospital for days while recovering can increase the possibility of a serious infection developing. In some cases, patients may even develop sepsis, which can be fatal if not treated promptly. Patients recovering from surgery may end up sickened due to poor practices after a surgery and may then need help addressing their additional expenses accordingly.
What is sepsis?
Hospital-borne infections are relatively common, and many of them respond well to treatment. However, patients do not always tolerate infections. Sepsis is the medical term for when a person’s body overreacts to an infection.
Sepsis can progress to septic shock, which can cause organ damage, brain damage and even death. The early warning signs of sepsis include drastic changes in body temperature, confusion, difficulty staying awake, heavy or quick breathing, a fast heart rate, chills, clammy skin and extreme body aches.
Those monitoring a patient after surgery should be proactive about sanitation to limit the risk of causing an infection. They also need to frequently check in with patients, especially if an infection has begun.
Sepsis can progress rapidly, which means that immediate actions taken to control this bodily reaction to an infection have a profound impact on the patient’s recovery and long-term prognosis. The failure to prevent infections, to notice signs of sepsis or to treat sepsis before it progresses may constitute medical malpractice. Insufficient post-operative care is a common cause of surgical medical malpractice lawsuits.
Patients dealing with the lingering medical consequences of a hospital-borne infection or those grieving a loved one who has died due to sepsis may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Reviewing the records of a surgery and the post-operative care provided with a skilled legal team can help prospective plaintiffs understand their legal options.