Sepsis (also known as “blood poisoning”) is one of the most dangerous and devastating conditions we encounter in medical malpractice cases. The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has designated September as “Sepsis Awareness Month” to warn the public about this deadly condition.

In this article, we will discuss sepsis and why it is important for medical providers to pay attention to early signs and symptoms so intervention and treatment can be made as soon as possible.

At the Law Office of Alvin F. de Levie, Esq., we have represented individuals and families in medical malpractice cases involving sepsis for many, many years throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, including, for example, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Centre County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lehigh County, Clearfield County, and Fayette County, to name a few. Our team of lawyers has the expertise, the resources, the experience in handling complex medical malpractice cases and reviewing medical records to determine if, how and why medical providers missed signs of developing sepsis or failed to adequately treat sepsis.

What is Sepsis?

The Centers for Disease Control defines sepsis as “the body’s extreme response to an infection.” Essentially, in response to being overwhelmed by infection, whether bacterial or viral, the immune system gets out of control, releasing large amounts of chemicals into the blood and triggering inflammation in the affected area that can destroy tissue and cause organ failure. This is why sepsis is sometimes referred to as “blood poisoning.” Without proper diagnosis and treatment, sepsis can cause catastrophic injuries such as multiple amputations and, in some cases, death.

The CDC estimates approximately 1.7 million people develop sepsis each year, that approximately 270,000 people die as a result, and that a massive 1 in 3 patients who die in hospitals have sepsis.

What are the Symptoms of Sepsis and How can it be Treated?

Whenever a patient is suffering from a viral or bacterial infection or facing a situation which could lead to such an infection, medical providers must carefully monitor patients early and continuously for signs and symptoms of developing sepsis, which may initially appear to be mild. Early detection is often the key to treating the condition before sepsis sets in and spirals out of control.

At first, a patient developing sepsis may suffer a general sense of not feeling well, have a slightly increased temperature, shivers or an increased heart rate. As sepsis progresses, however, the symptoms become more severe. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of advancing sepsis include:

• Difficulty breathing and respiratory rates higher than or equal to 22 breaths a minute;
• Abnormal heart function;
• Low blood pressure that requires medication to increase and maintain;
• A sudden change in mental status/alertness; and 
• High levels of lactic acid in your blood, which indicates your cells are not using oxygen properly.

If sepsis is identified early, the infection the body is responding to can typically be treated with anti-virals, antibiotics and other such treatments. These treatments help to combat the infection and tame both the immune system’s reaction to the infection and the inflammatory response it causes, thereby lessening the likelihood of developing advanced sepsis.

Unfortunately, medical providers sometimes ignore or fail to appreciate how an infection is getting out of control, leading to sepsis. In some cases, medical personnel fail to take proper readings, monitor their patients, and perform simple tests, such as checking blood oxygen levels.  In other cases, medical providers may prescribe medications that are contraindicated, increasing the risk that a viral or other infection will be worsened, leading to the development of sepsis. Medical providers need to be especially careful to closely monitor patients with pre-existing conditions which make it difficult for their bodies to handle infection, such as those with diabetes and immune disorders.

What Kind of Injuries Can Sepsis Cause?

Sepsis can cause a number of serious and catastrophic injuries, including:

•  Cognitive issues: Advanced sepsis can cause low blood pressure and inflammation in the brain. This can lead to damage to the brain tissue, ultimately causing severe cognitive dysfunction, such as memory loss and other mental impairment.

•  Gangrene: The decreased blood flow and destruction of tissue caused by advanced sepsis can cause tissues, particularly in extremities like the hands and feet, to die and become gangrenous.

•  Amputation: When extremities become gangrenous as a result of sepsis, they often must be amputated in order to prevent the spread of infection to other parts and systems of the body.

• Organ Failure: The decreased blood flow and tissue damages caused by advanced sepsis can cause organs and organ systems to incur heavy damage, sometimes shutting down entirely. Damage to the kidneys and lungs is most common in advanced sepsis cases, and it is not uncommon for victims of sepsis with otherwise normal kidney function to end up on dialysis for the rest of their lives.

• Death: Advanced sepsis can cause blood flow and organ system failure that eventually leads to cardiac arrest (i.e., heart attack) and death.

What Should YOU Do If You, A Loved One Or A Friend Suffers Injuries or Death Caused by Sepsis?

YOU SHOULD CONTACT MY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

Like all medical malpractice cases, cases involving sepsis are incredibly complex and require an extraordinary amount of investigation. Your attorney may need to obtain and review thousands of pages of medical records, which will then need to be reviewed by an expert. This is an expensive and time-consuming process that must begin as soon as possible to determine whether you have a claim. You also need an attorney with a thorough knowledge of the practice of medicine and the resources and experts necessary to take the case to trial, if necessary.

At the Law Office of Alvin F. de Levie, Esq., our team of attorneys has decades of experience representing individuals and families injured due to medical malpractice and sepsis. We have handled medical malpractice cases throughout Pennsylvania: From Philadelphia and the surrounding counties to Centre County, from Central Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh, and from the New York border to the borders of West Virginia and Maryland. If you have suffered an injury or someone died as a result of sepsis, please call our firm – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at (215) 696-3900 for a consultation. One of our team members will be in immediate contact with you. We maintain offices throughout Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, State College and Bellefonte. We are willing to meet any clients throughout the Commonwealth.