If you developed necrotising fasciitis after the drainage of an abscess, have you been the victim of medical negligence?
Abscess drainage and antibiotics
An abscess may need to be drained if it is very large, or if it is inside the body (an internal abscess). Before clinicians drain the abscess, the patient should be tested to check see what type of infection is present. If necessary, the patient should be given the appropriate type antibiotics at the same time as the drainage to ensure the infection does not spread any further.
Necrotising fasciitis infection after drainage of abscess
Nevertheless, it is possible that a severe infection will arise after the drainage of an abscess. One of the most serious types of infection that can develop is necrotising fasciitis, an aggressive condition that requires immediate treatment.
The necrotising fasciitis infection may be introduced during the drainage procedure. The bacteria can enter through any break in the skin, even one as small as a needle puncture wound. Alternatively the patient may already have been carrying the bacteria that cause necrotising fasciitis – such as E.coli or Group A Streptococcus.
Does this amount to medical negligence?
If a patient develops necrotising fasciitis after the drainage of an abscess, there will not necessarily be a case of medical negligence. However, the standard of care may be called into question if a patient was known to carrying an infection and antibiotics were not provided.
What will be considered negligent is if the necrotising fasciitis infection was not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion. Necrotising fasciitis will quickly cause the patient to feel extremely unwell, with symptoms such as a fever, intense pain and skin discoloration.
These symptoms should prompt medical practitioners to investigate the possibility of a deep tissue infection. As soon as necrotising fasciitis is diagnosed, emergency surgical debridement must be performed to rid the body of infection.
If there is a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis, there will be a case of medical negligence.
Speak to a solicitor
If you developed necrotising fasciitis after abscess drainage and you were subject to a delay in diagnosis/treatment, please contact us today. We specialise in necrotising fasciitis claims and will be able to suggest whether you are able to pursue a claim against the GP or hospital responsible. All initial enquiries are completely free of charge.
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