When diagnosing necrotising fasciitis, medical practitioners should look for the presence of ‘dishwasher fluid’ inside the tissues. If present, doctors can make a positive diagnosis and begin immediate treatment.
What is meant by dishwater fluid caused by necrotising fasciitis?
Necrotising fasciitis is an infection of the soft tissue. It happens when certain types of bacteria get into the soft tissues and multiply, a process which releases a poisonous toxin. This sets off a series of reactions which ultimately causes the surrounding tissue to break down and die – referred to medically as ‘tissue necrosis’.
When the tissue become necrotic, it will liquefy to create a murky fluid. This is commonly known as dishwater fluid. Therefore when doctors say they have found dishwater fluid or pus, it means they have discovered liquefied necrotic tissue.
Establishing the presence of dishwater fluid
The presence of dishwater fluid inside a patient’s tissues is a significant indicator of a soft tissue infection. In order to establish whether or not this dishwater fluid is present, a surgical exploration will be required.
Surgeons can simply cut open the tissue to check whether or not it is healthy. A ‘finger sweep test’ can also be carried out. This involves sweeping the finger around the tissue. Any tissue that gives way easily can be identified as infection.
A finger sweep test will help medical practitioners establish the extent of tissue necrosis. The surgeon can also continue to remove the infected tissue until healthy tissue is reached.
Investigations to diagnose necrotising fasciitis
A surgical exploration to look for dishwasher fluid is the best way to diagnose necrotising fasciitis. Medical practitioners should pursue this course of action as soon as patient presents with the symptoms potentially indicative of a soft tissue infection – namely pain inside the tissue with no obvious cause. There may also be other symptoms such as fever and skin changes.
If a surgical exploration is not conducted quickly enough, it could delay the diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis, in turn delaying treatment. This is especially dangerous as necrotising fasciitis requires immediate surgical debridement of the necrotic tissue. This should be performed on an emergency basis.
The longer surgical treatment for necrotising fasciitis is withheld, the worse the patient’s condition will become. Within days the patient can be in a critical condition with septic shock and organ failure.
Injuries caused by medical error
If you or your loved one has suffered harm because of delays in necrotising fasciitis care, there could be grounds for a medical compensation claim. For more information please do not hesitate to contact our team of lawyers today.
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