Necrotising fasciitis is a medical emergency which frequently proves fatal. Patients are dependent on the expertise of their medical practitioners to give them the best chance of survival. Failure can be costly indeed!
Awareness of symptoms
Although necrotising fasciitis is a fairly rare condition, it is vital that medical practitioners can recognise its symptoms as a delay in diagnosis may lead to the death of the patient.
The symptoms of necrotising fasciitis can appear similar to other infections but the combination of flu-like symptoms alongside intense pain, and swelling and tenderness in the region of a possible cut to the skin should prompt a referral for further investigation.
Awareness of patients at risk
Necrotising fasciitis is sometimes acquired whilst a patient is already in hospital and certain groups of patient are more susceptible than others.
Consequently medical practitioners should be particularly alert to symptoms in patients who fall into the following categories:
- Are diabetic
- Are obese
- Have liver cirrhosis
- Have weakened immune systems
- Are over 50 years old
Awareness of risky scenarios
Undergoing surgery offers a route of entry for the bacteria which cause necrotising fasciitis. Therefore, it is important that the following precautions occur:
- Patients who are about to undergo surgery should, if appropriate, be given prophylactic antibiotics to try to prevent infection
- Patients who have recently undergone surgery should be monitored for signs and symptoms of an infection
Prompt treatment
Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, treatment should begin immediately with intravenous antibiotics to support the patient and reduce the risk of further infection.
Surgical debridement of the infected area should be carried out as soon as possible as the only definitive way to stop the infection.
Debridement should be thorough and extensive to ensure all affected tissue is removed.
Appropriate treatment
The effects of necrotising fasciitis as it spreads through the body can severely undermine the patient’s ability to sustain life. Necrotising fasciitis patients are, therefore, also likely to require significant life-support in intensive care until the infection has been stopped and the body is beginning to be self-supporting.
The patient is also likely to require further, plastic surgery to repair damage caused by the removal of the infected tissue.
Medical Negligence
A failure or delay at any point in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis can produce a fatal outcome.
Where that delay is due to negligence on the part of medical practitioners, it may be appropriate to pursue a claim for compensation for the suffering of the patient.
Contact Glynns Solicitors if you or a loved one have suffered the impact of necrotising fasciitis due to a failure on the part of your medical practitioners.
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