If you developed necrotising fasciitis after having a caesarean section, you could be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation. To find out more, get in touch with a solicitor that specialises in necrotising fasciitis claims.
Preventing necrotising fasciitis after a caesarean section
Necrotising fasciitis is an aggressive bacterial infection. It develops when a certain type of bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin. This might be something as small as a paper cut, although it is more likely to be a large surgical wound – such as a caesarean section.
Because of the known dangers of an infection developing after a C-section, medical professionals must take care to prevent problems occurring. If a patient is thought to be at risk of infection, she must be given intravenous antibiotics before the procedure. This is known as administering prophylactic antibiotics, with prophylactic meaning ‘preventative’.
After the procedure, the wound should be kept clean and the dressings changed regularly. Doctors and nurses should keep a close eye on the wound, looking for signs of infection. This might include tissue that is red, hot to touch and weeping. If there is any suspicion that an infection is present, treatment should be given immediately.
Delayed diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis
As long as action is taken quickly, it should be possible to treat a necrotising fasciitis infection in the early stages. However, time really is of the essence because the infection spreads extremely quickly.
If there a diagnosis is delayed, the consequences could be devastating. This is because the necrotising fasciitis bacteria release a poisonous chemical that attacks the flesh, causing it to die (tissue necrosis). If left untreated, a woman will have a large area of necrotic tissue across her abdomen, all of which will need to be removed. This can lead to an unsightly defect and serious health complications.
Claiming compensation for necrotising fasciitis
If you or your loved one developed necrotising fasciitis after a C-section, you might be able to make a compensation claim. Such claims normally arise because medical professionals:-
- Failed to administer prophylactic antibiotics to an at risk patient;
- Failed to diagnose necrotising fasciitis in a timely fashion;
- Failed to appreciate the urgency with which treatment must be given.
Whatever the circumstances, if you believe medical negligence contributed to your injuries, do not hesitate to contact a solicitor today. We will be able to suggest whether or not you are able to make a necrotising fasciitis claim.
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