Imagine someone came into your workplace and said they had a new tool that could predict problems before they happen. The salesman tells you it has an accuracy rate of between 73 and 86%. Would you be tempted? Or would you want to see independent evidence to back up those statistics before parting with your money?
Sadly, a study suggests that many hospitals took the salesman at their word when it came to a tool claimed to predict “the probability of a likelihood of sepsis.” Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School put the accuracy rate of the Epic Sepsis Model algorithm at only 63%. They suggest too many medical providers who purchased the tool did not do their homework. If they did, they would have found a lack of independent evidence to back up the manufacturer’s claims.
Why Is Predicting Sepsis So Important?
Sepsis is one of the biggest killers in hospitals, so any improvements in prediction or detection are to be applauded. A tool that gets it right 63% of the time is still not bad, provided people understand its level of accuracy. The report suggests that this was not the case.
What is worse, the study reports the algorithm predicted the cases that doctors themselves would spot without it. It was less good at picking up the ones they missed. As a result, it may have led to even more missed cases of sepsis. When an intelligent algorithm that people tell you has a high accuracy rate agrees with you, you are more likely to believe you have spotted all the cases. If someone told you the algorithm only spots 10% of cases, you would assume you need to search harder.
What This Means for Patients
Hospitals and doctors must do all they can to prevent and identify sepsis. Relying on unproven technology is not an excuse for missing a sepsis diagnosis that leads to a patient’s suffering. A missed or delayed sepsis diagnosis can lead to organ damage, prolonged hospitalization, or death, and the standard of care requires providers to recognize warning signs regardless of what a supplemental prediction tool suggests.
If a hospital’s reliance on an unproven algorithm contributed to a delayed diagnosis, that may be relevant to a broader review of whether the standard of care was met. A medical malpractice attorney can help evaluate the full picture, including how a facility used, or over-relied on, tools like this one.
Speak With an Attorney If You’ve Been Affected
If you’ve been injured by a doctor’s or hospital’s failure to timely diagnose and treat sepsis, find out more about your right to compensation for your losses. Contact Davis & Davis for a free consultation with our experienced legal team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sepsis Misdiagnosis Claims
What are the warning signs of sepsis?
Common signs include fever or chills, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, confusion, and extreme pain or discomfort. Sepsis can progress quickly, which is why prompt recognition and treatment matter so much.
Can a hospital be held liable for relying on a flawed prediction tool?
A hospital’s use of a tool does not eliminate its responsibility to meet the standard of care. If reliance on an unproven algorithm contributed to a missed or delayed diagnosis, that can be a relevant factor in a malpractice review.
How quickly does sepsis need to be treated?
Sepsis is considered a medical emergency, and outcomes generally improve the sooner treatment begins. Delays in recognition and treatment are associated with worse outcomes.
What should I do if I think a missed sepsis diagnosis harmed a family member?
Request complete medical records and speak with an attorney experienced in medical malpractice, who can help evaluate whether the care provided met accepted medical standards.
Are AI or algorithmic diagnostic tools common in hospitals today?
Yes, hospitals increasingly use predictive and AI-assisted tools alongside clinical judgment. These tools can be helpful, but they do not replace a provider’s obligation to recognize and act on clinical warning signs.
