If you enter a hospital for treatment, you hope to come out alive and in a better condition than you entered. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and one of the reasons is sepsis.
Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition that can occur after a blood infection. It is when the body releases chemicals to fight the infection but overreacts and damages the organs.
Hygiene is crucial to preventing sepsis
If a person does not get an infection in the first place, the body will not need to release chemicals to fight it, so the risk of an overreaction and sepsis is eliminated. Therefore, hospitals must do all they can to protect patients from infection.
They must insist on proper hand hygiene, clean the place regularly and thoroughly and ensure the sterility of anything inserted into the body, such as a catheter or drip.
Staff must also stay vigilant for signs of sepsis
So many sick people pass through a hospital that it’s probably impossible to eliminate the risk of infection altogether. What staff can and must do is stay alert for the warning signs of sepsis in their patients. Regular monitoring is crucial here, as is reacting fast if sepsis is suspected. Medical staff must also ensure patients and their families are aware of what to look for in case the signs of sepsis do not appear until the patient has left the hospital. Discharging patients early to free up beds could increase the risk that sepsis is allowed to develop without anyone noticing.
If you believe a hospital failed you or a loved one, it is essential to understand your legal options.