All articles tagged with #hospital care
A 69-year-old woman from Kent lost five fingers and parts of her toes due to sepsis, which she alleges was caused by inadequate treatment at Darent Valley Hospital. She spent a month in intensive care and now faces significant physical and emotional challenges. The NHS trust acknowledged shortcomings in her care and expressed regret, while she hopes her story raises awareness about sepsis and prompts better medical responses.
A two-year-old boy, Hudson Cole Perrins, died from a brain injury caused by urosepsis after doctors initially misdiagnosed his symptoms as constipation. Despite his complex medical history, including bladder and kidney issues, Hudson was discharged from Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital without further investigation. His family is seeking answers and accountability as an inquest into his death is set to begin. The case highlights concerns over medical negligence and the need for thorough examination in pediatric care.
A recent study published in the BMJ reveals that over a third of surgical patients experience complications, with at least 20% of these due to medical errors. Despite advancements like electronic medical records and presurgery checklists, patient safety in hospitals has not significantly improved over the decades. The study, conducted in Massachusetts, highlights that complications often occur outside the operating room and are more common in older patients and complex surgeries. Advocates stress the need for renewed focus on patient safety and suggest patients stay informed about their medications and have support during hospital stays.
A 23-year-old Brazilian exchange worker in Aspen has been diagnosed with botulism and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Denver. Her family is raising funds to cover the substantial medical costs, which have reached $500,000 after 60 days of treatment. The Denver hospital has agreed to cover the cost of her flight back to Brazil via air ambulance. The rare illness has caused paralysis and breathing difficulties, and the family is seeking financial support through a Venmo account to help alleviate the mounting debt.
The FDA has authorized the first AI-driven diagnostic tool for sepsis, developed by Chicago-based company Prenosis, to predict the risk of the condition, which contributes to at least 350,000 deaths annually in the US. The tool, based on an algorithm trained with over 100,000 blood samples and clinical data, categorizes a patient's sepsis risk into four levels. This development comes as federal health agencies prioritize sepsis management, with hospitals increasingly considering the integration of artificial intelligence into patient care despite concerns among some frontline workers.
An inquest into the death of Michelle Whitehead, a mother-of-two admitted to a mental health unit in England, has found that she died after drinking excessive amounts of water while staff were distracted by their phones. Despite exhibiting signs of psychogenic polydipsia, a psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive water consumption, Whitehead was not diagnosed and had unmonitored access to water. The investigation revealed multiple failures in care, including inadequate monitoring, staff distraction, and delayed medical intervention. The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has apologized and pledged to address the concerns raised. Whitehead's husband expressed that earlier action could have saved her life and described her as a warm and caring person.
A 24-year-old woman from Merthyr Tydfil died of sepsis just weeks after developing a sore throat. Bethannie Booth's family have thanked the hospital staff who cared for her and want to raise awareness of the signs of sepsis, which can be difficult to spot. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, blotchy skin and a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it. A nightclub in Merthyr Tydfil held a special tribute night for her.