Can I Make a Claim for a Hip Replacement Infection?
Surgery to replace a hip can provide the body with the opportunity to develop a prosthetic joint infection. Failure to manage such a development professionally and effectively can leave the patient with long-term problems and justify a claim for compensation.
Prosthetic joint infections
A prosthetic joint or surgical site infection can have devastating long-term consequences if diagnosis is delayed and treatment is inadequate. In some cases, it can prove fatal. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, around 5% of patients undergoing surgery will develop a surgical site infection.
Some patients are not only more susceptible to acquiring a prosthetic joint infection but are also more likely to find it extremely difficult to recover from such an infection. A surgical site infection is a known risk of surgery of this nature and particularly vulnerable patients require meticulous management both before and after their operation to try to minimise the possible impact of such an infection.
At risk of surgical site infection
Patients who are at particular risk include the following:
- Patients who are suffering with diabetes
- Patients who are overweight or obese
- Elderly patients
- A patient whose immune system is compromised for some reason, perhaps due to another condition or medical treatment
An at-risk patient requires close monitoring after surgery for any signs of infection and medical professionals should not delay their response should symptoms develop or the wound show evidence of infection. The possibility of infection should be a significant concern of those attending the patient. A failure to monitor the patient might be regarded as substandard care.
Responding to a surgical site infection
If signs of infection become apparent, prompt investigation is required with the testing of blood samples in order to identify the pathogen(s) causing the patient's infection. This would facilitate a targeted antibiotic response.
Some patients may need to be returned to surgery promptly for further procedures to manage and remove their infection.
This may require the debridement of tissue to remove infection. It may require the wash-out of the wound.
In some cases, it may be necessary to carry out an arthroplasty to remove the replacement material in order to resolve the infection.
It is likely that such a scenario will require the combined resources of a number of specialists such as an orthopaedic surgeon as well as a microbiology expert in order to identify the best approach.
Medical negligence
A failure to investigate the patient's symptoms and implement an agreed and effective treatment plan may result in debilitating effects on the patient who is likely to require an extended stay in hospital as well as numerous additional surgical procedures as a result.
A slow and inadequate initial response to the infection may mean that the long-term prognosis will deteriorate and the patient may be left disabled.
Where the patient's long-term outcome is severely compromised by the failings of the medical professionals who failed to resolve the infection competently, it may be appropriate to consider making a claim for compensation.
Contact us today to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor if you or a loved one are suffering the destructive long-term effects of a poorly-managed prosthetic joint infection.
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