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Delays In Diagnosing Serious Infections

Seattle Washington Attorney Delays in Diagnosing Serious InfectionsInfections can cause serious damage, including amputation, organ failure, and even death. Diagnosing an infection is a critical part of a doctor’s job and can be done by visualizing the infected part (is it red, swollen, and painful?); considering systemic symptoms such as a fever; and carefully reviewing lab results (for example, a high white-blood count). Early diagnosis of infections is crucial in patients who are diabetic or have a compromised immune system.

One of the most serious infections is sepsis or septicemia, a condition where an infection spreads to the blood stream and can affect the entire body. Diagnosing and treating an infection early can avoid organ failure, loss of limbs, and death resulting from sepsis.

Sharon went to a local emergency room with flank pain. She was diagnosed as having kidney stones and sent home to wait for them to pass. Within 48 hours she returned to the ER with severe pain and a fever. Over the next several hours, the ER providers and doctors at the hospital (where she was admitted) struggled with a diagnosis, but finally concluded she had developed sepsis arising from a blocked ureter from the kidney stone. The lost hours before a definitive diagnosis was made delayed surgery to unblock the ureter, and her sepsis (blood poisoning from infection) became severe.

Sharon required amputations of both legs and both arms from damage caused by the sepsis. The case was complex because of the involvement of numerous physicians as well as the hospital. Eventually, a settlement was reached that will provide adequate care over her lifetime.

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Delays In Diagnosing Serious Infections

What Infections Are Commonly Missed In Hospitals?

Infections that can lead to devastating consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly are often missed in hospitals. These include infections that cause meningitis, osteomyelitis (bone infections), and severe abscesses. A delay in diagnosis of these and other serious infections can result in malpractice claims.

Is Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis Malpractice?

It can be. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme response to an infection. It requires prompt recognition and treatment to prevent tissue damage, organ failure, or death. A delayed diagnosis of sepsis can be a form of medical malpractice.

What Symptoms Of Serious Infections Are Often Ignored?

Providers may overlook or misinterpret the symptoms of a serious infection, leading to a delay in treatment and a worsening of the patient’s condition. Some of the most commonly ignored symptoms include:
  • Fever and chills
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Confusion
  • Low blood pressure
  • Severe pain
  • Redness and swelling around a wound

How Do Doctors Diagnose Serious Infections?

Diagnosing a serious infection often requires a combination of blood tests, cultures, imaging studies (such as CT scans or MRIs), and a thorough physical exam. A failure to order the appropriate tests when an infection is suspected can be a breach of the standard of care and may constitute malpractice.

Can Delayed Diagnosis of An Infection Cause Permanent Harm?

Yes, a delayed diagnosis of a serious infection can cause permanent harm. Delays in treating infections like sepsis or meningitis can lead to organ failure, amputations, brain damage, or even death. This is why prompt recognition and treatment are so critical.

Emergency Room Mistakes And Missed Diagnoses

What Are Common ER Malpractice Cases?

Common ER malpractice cases include those involving misdiagnosed heart attacks, strokes, infections, and the failure to order necessary tests or imaging. These errors can have devastating consequences for patients.

Can I Sue If The ER Sent Me Home And My Condition Worsened?

Yes, you may be able to sue the ER if you were sent home and your condition worsened. If the ER staff failed to recognize serious symptoms that required immediate treatment, and that failure caused you catastrophic harm, you may have a valid malpractice claim.

What Is Failure To Triage In ER Malpractice?

Failure to triage is a form of ER malpractice that occurs when patients with life-threatening symptoms are not prioritized, leading to dangerous delays in care. Triage is the process of determining the priority of patients’ treatments based on the severity of their condition.

How Do Doctors And Nurses Make Mistakes In The ER?

Errors in the ER can happen for a variety of reasons. Doctors and nurses may not take a proper medical history, they may rush assessments, they may misread test results, or they may fail to consult specialists when needed. These mistakes can lead to missed diagnoses and serious harm to patients.

What Injuries Can Result From ER Malpractice?

ER malpractice can lead to a wide range of injuries, including worsened heart attacks or strokes, untreated infections that progress to sepsis, internal bleeding, permanent disability, or even death, depending on the condition that was missed or improperly managed.