The Tragic Consequences of Delayed Diagnosis of Sepsis
Reported in the national press, a 31-year-old woman tragically died of sepsis after being left on a hospital trolley for ten hours in a corridor, according to an inquest at West Sussex Coroner’s Court. The incident occurred at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton in December 2022 and highlights the dangers of delayed sepsis diagnosis, particularly when patients are left unattended in overstretched hospital environments.
The woman had been taken to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties and collapsing at home. Initially, she was treated in a resuscitation room and given oxygen. However, due to overcrowding, she was moved to a hospital corridor where she remained on a trolley, despite her condition worsening over the next few hours. By the time her condition was recognised as serious, it was too late to save her life.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection, leading to widespread inflammation, tissue damage, and organ failure. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment are essential to saving lives, but in this case, the woman’s sepsis was not identified until her health had severely deteriorated. Her cause of death was determined to be sepsis, multiple organ failure, broncho-pneumonia, and influenza.
The inquest heard that the woman had spent ten hours on a trolley with several other patients in the corridor, without adequate medical attention. Although the West Sussex coroner, Joanne Andrews, concluded that the use of the corridor did not directly cause the death, she voiced concerns about the use of corridors to treat patients, stating, “this does to me create a substantial concern.”
The consultant involved in the case admitted that the woman’s sepsis could have been diagnosed earlier, but delays in communicating her worsening condition to the medical team meant that critical treatment was not administered in time. “Anyone being looked after in a corridor is a concern because it is a failure of normal care processes,” he added. The incident highlights the ongoing pressures faced by hospitals, leading to substandard care.
The woman’s family expressed their devastation and frustration at the system that failed her. Her sister described the hospital as being “like a war zone” and shared her shock at how the hospital’s care was anything but safe. Her partner, meanwhile, called it an “absolute failure in the duty of care.”
Delayed Diagnosis of Sepsis: Your Right to Legal Action
Sadly, this woman’s story is not unique. Sepsis, sometimes called the “silent killer,” can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated quickly. In cases of delayed sepsis diagnosis, the consequences are often severe, leading to unnecessary suffering or loss of life. Delays in diagnosing sepsis can occur for many reasons, such as overcrowded hospitals, lack of proper monitoring, or failure to follow correct medical protocols.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a delayed sepsis diagnosis, you may have the right to pursue legal action. At R James Hutcheon Solicitors, we specialise in medical negligence claims, including cases of delayed diagnosis of sepsis. Families and victims affected by such delays may be entitled to compensation for the emotional, financial, and physical toll of this medical negligence.
Grounds for a Sepsis Delay Claim
When a sepsis diagnosis is delayed, it can be due to several factors, including:
1.Failure to Diagnose in Time: Sepsis can progress rapidly, and healthcare professionals must be alert to its symptoms. If medical staff overlook or misdiagnose sepsis, it can lead to a life-threatening situation.
2.Delayed Treatment: Once sepsis is suspected, immediate treatment is necessary. Any delays in providing antibiotics, fluids, or other life-saving interventions can lead to a decline in the patient’s health, and ultimately, a worse outcome.
3.Inadequate Monitoring: Patients with infections or other sepsis risk factors must be closely monitored. In cases like this one, where patients are left in corridors or other inappropriate care environments, deterioration can go unnoticed, leading to fatal delays.
4.Failure to Escalate Care: If a patient’s condition worsens, it must be quickly communicated to senior medical staff. Delays in escalating care or transferring patients to intensive care units can result in missed opportunities for life-saving treatments.
Legal Action After a Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis
If you believe a delayed sepsis diagnosis led to worsened outcomes for you or a loved one, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim. Such claims seek to prove that the delay in diagnosis or treatment directly contributed to unnecessary suffering, complications, or death. Compensation can cover:
•Medical expenses incurred due to prolonged or more severe treatment.
•Loss of earnings or financial support.
•Funeral costs (in fatal cases).
•Compensation for emotional suffering endured by the victim and their family.
At R James Hutcheon Solicitors, we are here to support families who have suffered due to medical negligence. Our experienced team specialises in handling complex cases of delayed sepsis diagnosis and will work with you to seek justice and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable.
How We Can Help For Delayed Sepsis Diagnosis
•No Win, No Fee: We offer our services on a no-win, no-fee basis, ensuring you are not burdened by upfront costs.
•Expert Legal Guidance: Our team has years of experience in handling medical negligence claims, particularly those involving delayed diagnoses of life-threatening conditions like sepsis.