Many patients who are unfortunate enough to experience an onset of sepsis while battling a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or while recovering from an injury may expect the worst to behind them once their doctors discharge them from the hospital. That’s not the case, though.
Researchers at the University of Michigan recently described the experience that sepsis patients go through after diagnosis as a “revolving door.” Many patients go home only to return over and over again. Patients’ potential to die following their diagnosis doesn’t dissipate following their discharge from the hospital either.
Why a discharge doesn’t mean that a sepsis patient is in the clear
The University of Michigan researchers noted that doctors used to see a sepsis patient’s discharge from the hospital as a victory. That’s changed, however, given how at least 40% of patients end up back in the hospital within three months of their discharge — more than once.
The researchers note that patients often return to the hospital worse off than some of their worst days during their initial hospital visit. Their condition can rapidly decline with each subsequent bout of the infection.
Another interesting finding that scientists discovered is that sepsis patients also experience an increased risk of death for years following their release from the hospital. This newfound discovery about how sepsis lingers has led scientists to classify it as a chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart failure and liver disease.
The only difference between sepsis and these other conditions is that doctors haven’t yet come up with effective treatment options to manage it. This is why it’s one of the leading causes of death of all chronic diseases.
What to do if you’re experiencing lingering sepsis symptoms
Many sepsis cases develop due to a medical team not taking aggressive enough action to treat such a deadly condition aggressively.
If this is the case with you, then the prospect of you having to deal with these unnecessary flare-ups is likely a reality for you. Texas law may allow you to hold your doctor and their medical team accountable for any negligence that resulted in the onset of your condition or its progression. An attorney can help you understand more about your options.