Sepsis / Infection & Florida Nursing Homes

Symptoms of Sepsis

The Mayo Clinic describes sepsis in three stages.

I. Sepsis symptoms include at least two of these conditions:

• Temperature under 95 degrees or above 101.3 degrees Farenheit.
• Infection – probable or confirmed
• Heart rate in excess of 90 beats per minute
• Respiratory rate in excess of 20 breaths per minute

II. Sepsis becomes severe sepsis when at least one of these conditions occurs, too:

• Skin mottling
• Decrease in urination
• Decreased platelet count
• Breathing difficulty
• Heart function becomes abnormal
• Mental status abruptly changes

III. Septic shock occurs when blood pressure drops in conjunction with signs of severe sepsis.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the immune system over-responds to infection. The body releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight bacteria that has intruded through open wounds, such as cuts or bedsores. But instead of helping, the chemicals trigger inflammation. Unless sepsis is successfully treated, the inflammation can lead to formation of blood clots that choke off the oxygen supply to internal organs. Organs then begin to fail, causing the sepsis victim to go into shock and ultimately to die. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, it’s important to know about sepsis because bedsores, urinary tract infections and other common problems nursing home residents experience can quickly lead to sepsis.

Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, has handled many cases involving issues that affect nursing home residents. Our Naples and Fort Myers sepsis lawyers know that bedsores and other types of infections commonly seen in nursing homes can develop when the quality of care is lacking. Residents develop bed sores when they aren’t able to reposition themselves and caregivers fail to turn them enough to avoid pressure on joints and other pressure points. We know how to recognize the warning signs that may signal the development of sepsis, and our personal injury and wrongful death attorneys can take decisive action if you need help to get treatment for a loved one in a nursing facility.

Elderly people, infants, children and anyone with a weakened immune system is likely to be more susceptible to sepsis. The National Institutes of Health estimates that some 750,000 Americans per year are likely to develop sepsis. Diagnosis is done through blood tests and other lab work. Treatment for the condition must be aggressive and undertaken at once. The Fort Myers and Cape Coral sepsis attorneys at our firm know that this requires a nursing home resident to be moved to a hospital intensive care unit where close monitoring can be done and treatment with intravenous antibiotics administered.

Antibiotics may be only the beginning for those suffering the effects of sepsis. The Mayo Clinic notes that medications may be required to boost blood pressure, along with steroids, insulin to stabilize levels of blood sugar, drugs to help doctors adjust immune system responses, pain medications, and sedatives. Severe sepsis could require surgical intervention, dialysis or other measures. Even with aggressive treatment, our Fort Myers personal injury and wrongful death lawyers know that as many as half of patients with sepsis lose their lives.

If you think that a loved one in a nursing home may be at risk for sepsis, contact his or her physician at once so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. It is urgent that treatment begin as quickly as possible. When you are assured that your loved one is receiving care, contact the sepsis lawyers at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, and ask for a free evaluation of your case. Mr. Scheiner leads our firm in its dedication to helping those who are vulnerable and at risk due to the negligence of nursing home caregivers. We believe your loved one deserves the best possible legal services and we are prepared to provide the vigorous representation needed to pursue compensation for medical costs, and for the pain and suffering that sepsis imposes on its victims.

If you aren’t able to come to our offices, we’ll meet with you at your loved one’s nursing home or hospital bedside. You pay nothing for our services unless we win.

800-646-1210 – Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner – Focused on Justice