Poor care in hospital of a patient with all the warning signs of being susceptible to severe infection seems inexcusable. And yet we have supported many patients who have experienced just such a situation.
The threat of necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is a devastating, fast-moving and life-threatening infection. It can develop very rapidly and cause the death of the patient within a few days.
It is also an illness which can often develop when a patient is already in hospital undergoing surgery or another invasive hospital procedure.
It is surprising, therefore, that when necrotising fasciitis does develop in a patient in hospital, it is often found that the care of that patient has been poor and their early symptoms of necrotising fasciitis have not been taken seriously.
In particular, certain categories of patients in hospital are very vulnerable to this appalling illness and need to be closely monitored for any signs of developing infection.
Case study
A patient attends hospital for abdominal surgery. Whether open surgery or laparoscopic, it will require that an incision is made to the patient’s abdomen. Necrotising fasciitis is known to favour the abdominal region as a starting point for infection.
The patient is elderly, obese and diabetic. All three of these factors will make this patient more vulnerable to contracting necrotising fasciitis. This combination of circumstances should alert the patient’s attendant medical practitioners of the need for close monitoring for any signs of infection.
However, when the patient begins to complain of severe abdominal pain and appears to have a high temperature, these symptoms are considered to be due to the abdominal surgery and no further investigation is made.
The impact of a delayed diagnosis
Necrotising fasciitis is a virulent and swift-moving infection and any delay in the commencement of treatment is likely to produce a poorer outcome for the patient:
- It may mean that the patient has to stay in hospital, in intensive care, for a longer period of time than would otherwise have been necessary – this in itself is known to be detrimental to a patient’s long-term well-being
- It may mean that the patient has to undergo more surgical procedures to tackle their infection than would otherwise be necessary with all the associated risks
- It is likely that the patient will require more extensive removal of body tissue than would have been the case with earlier treatment
- The patient is therefore likely to have more extensive long-term tissue damage and scarring and require further surgery to repair damaged tissue
- The patient is likely to need a more extensive recovery period with a greater need for on-going care
- The patient is more likely to suffer on-going psychological problems due to the severity of their illness and its associated treatment
The patient is also more likely to die if treatment is delayed.
Compensation claims
Where a patient suffers the shocking, long-term effects of necrotising fasciitis due to a delay in recognising their condition and a subsequent delay in commencing treatment, the relevant medical professionals may be considered to have acted negligently.
In these circumstances, it may be appropriate to consider making a claim for compensation.
This may compensate not only for the pain and suffering endured, but also for any future financial losses due to the patient’s inability to return to work, as well as the patient’s future care needs, where appropriate.
Speak to a specialist solicitor
We have supported numerous patients who have needlessly suffered the long-term damage of necrotising fasciitis due to a delay in diagnosis.
Contact us today if you or a loved one are living with debilitating impact of this shocking illness.
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