Necrotising fasciitis is a rare condition with a high mortality rate. In this article we explore mortality rates in more detail, explaining why so many people die from the condition and how a fatality can be prevented.
Mortality rates for necrotising fasciitis
The mortality rates for necrotising fasciitis are high. The rate of mortality increases the later treatment is provided.
Experts predict that even if treatment is given in the early stages of the condition, before the infection has spread to the blood, the mortality rate is 20 to 30%.
This increases to 30 to 50% if the patient develops severe sepsis, which is when the infection gets into the bloodstream and travels around the body. This causes widespread inflammation and clotting, potentially resulting in dangerously low blood pressure and multi-system organ failure.
If the patient does not receive any treatment, he/she will certainly die. Thus the mortality rate for untreated necrotising fasciitis is 100%.
Why do so many people die from necrotising fasciitis?
So many people die from necrotising fasciitis because it is a rare condition that is very difficult to diagnose.
Necrotising fasciitis is a type of subcutaneous tissue infection that clinicians may not have come across during the course of their career. Furthermore, the presentation of necrotising fasciitis can cause confusion, as it is mimics other conditions in the early stages, such as flu. It will progress to the later stages extremely quickly, by which point it may be too late to save the patient.
How can a necrotising fasciitis death be prevented?
By way of summary, the mortality rate for necrotising fasciitis differs according to how early treatment is provided. The rate for treatment provided:
- In the early stages is 20 to 30%
- In the sepsis stage is 30 to 50%
- Not at all is 100%
Therefore the only way to prevent a necrotising fasciitis death is to make a prompt diagnosis and provide immediate treatment. Treatment should involve intravenous antibiotics and surgical debridement of the infected tissue. The debridement surgery is vitally important as this is the only way to cure the infection.
Failure to diagnose and treat
If medical practitioners fail to diagnose and treat necrotising fasciitis in a timely fashion, leading to a preventable death, there may be grounds for a compensation claim.
It is true that necrotising fasciitis is a rare condition that is hard to diagnose. Nevertheless, clinicians should be able to use their knowledge and expertise to recognise a tissue infection and work towards a quick diagnosis. A failure to provide this standard of care may be deemed unacceptable.
If your loved one has died from necrotising fasciitis, please contact us to discuss your legal position.
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