Post-operative infections are among the most serious complications that can occur after surgery. While most infections are treatable when identified early, delayed diagnosis or insufficient care may allow an infection to progress into a life-threatening condition called sepsis.
The significant risks associated with post-op infections are why doctors, nurses, and healthcare facilities are held to a high standard of care. When this standard is breached due to medical errors or negligence and a patient’s health suffers, medical providers should be held accountable for their actions.
In this post, we will discuss how post-op infections can progress to sepsis, the standard protocols hospitals must follow, and when it may be necessary to pursue legal action for medical malpractice.
Infections After Surgery: How Do They Occur?
What are post-operative infections?
Post-op infections are common complications that develop following surgery. The most common type is a surgical site infection (SSI), occurring when bacteria enter the incision or implantation site. SSIs make up 22% of all healthcare-acquired infections and, in the US, contribute to patients spending over 400,000 extra days in the hospital every year.
These infections can trigger severe inflammatory responses within the body and, if left untreated, can progress into sepsis.
What is sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that causes 11 million deaths globally every year. It occurs when the body overreacts to infection, attacking its own tissues and causing a chain reaction of organ dysfunction, septic shock, and even death.
Because sepsis can progress rapidly, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Preventing and managing sepsis often relies on healthcare providers recognizing warning signs, responding quickly to infections, and maintaining communication between the patient and their medical team.
How Post-Op Infections Can Result from Medical Negligence
Medical professionals are tasked with a standard of care for the patient. When this standard is breached through carelessness or neglect, medical malpractice may have occurred.
In the video below, attorney James S. Bostwick explains the fundamentals of medical malpractice:
Post-op infections and sepsis are among the most devastating consequences of medical malpractice, as their effects can include extended hospitalization, additional surgeries, organ damage, and death.
Types of medical malpractice that can cause post-op infections include:
- Surgical errors causing contamination
- Failure to diagnose infections or sepsis
- Failure to identify and manage risk factors
- Failure to monitor a patient’s vitals after surgery
- Failure to instruct patients on proper post-operative care
When a healthcare provider fails to take reasonable steps to prevent, identify, or treat post-operative infections, they may be held legally responsible for the patient’s suffering.
Award-Winning Medical Malpractice Attorneys in California
At Bostwick & Associates, we understand the devastating consequences that post-operative infections and sepsis can have on patients and their families. Our attorneys carefully review medical records, treatment plans, surgical protocols, and post-operative care documentation to determine whether negligence occurred and identify all liable parties.
We have a long history of handling complex medical malpractice cases and achieving record-breaking results for our clients, including the largest medical malpractice recovery in California history.
If you or a loved one has suffered a post-operative infection or sepsis due to negligence, Bostwick & Associates is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.