Severe sepsis and septic shock are common, serious medical conditions. The incidents of hospital admissions for either sepsis or septic shock account for about 2.9% of all hospital admissions and 10% of the admissions to intensive care (ICU).

Patients admitted into the hospital and then treated for sepsis are usually found to wind up in the ICU. Many times these patients that are diagnosed with sepsis are transferred from the general medical – surgical practice units, operating rooms, long term care facilities or nursing homes or other hospitals. Because delays in identification and treatment of critically ill sepsis patients during the first six hours after admission have been associated with a high mortality rate, it is crucial that these patients are cared for directly.

Better results for patients diagnosed with sepsis benefit from early and rapid intervention. The initial presentation of sepsis and/or septic shock can be nonspecific. The key for hospital and medical personnel is to observe carefully the patient’s abnormalities in temperature, heart and respiratory rates and leukocyte count of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Sepsis is defined by the presence of two or more of the SIRS criteria.

• Temperature > 38C or < 36C
• Heart rate > 90
• Respiratory rate > 20 or respiratory alkalosis
• WBC >12,000 or < 4,000 or >10% bands (or a left shift)

Severe sepsis is hallmarked by organ failure. Septic shock results when blood pressure falls and patients become hypotensive (less than 90/65). The transition from sepsis to septic shock occurs most often during the first 24 hours.

Sepsis can be deadly if not treated by medical professionals in a timely and effective manner. In the case of medical malpractice related to sepsis, its non-treatment or misdiagnosis, it is imperative that you have experienced lawyers on your side. With over 35 years of handling wrongful death cases arising from medical errors connected to sepsis, Kreisman Law Offices has the know-how and resources to aggressively handle your family’s wrongful death claim and obtain justice. Contact our offices at (312) 346-0045 or (800) 583-8002 for an immediate free consultation, or fill out a contact form.