This case takes place in Connecticut and involves a female with a history of spinal injury and limited mobility who developed a necrotic wound while she a patient in the hospital. On admission to the hospital the patient presented with a small wound on her lower back. Within the span of weeks the wound had increased in size and exhibited signs of significant necrosis. The patient was relocated to another hospital where the wound was surgically debrided. During her post-operative recovery in the hospital the patient became septic and nearly died. It is alleged by the defendants that the patient’s wound was not a pressure ulcer that later became infected (as the hospital claims) but instead was an infectious wound originating from the patient’s stay in the hospital.
Questions to the Infectious Disease and Communicable Disease expert and their responses
Have you ever had a patient develop the outcome described in the case? If so, please explain.
I have taken care of many paras and quads who have developed extensive decubiti, some of which have led to deep infections and septicemia. It would be very unusual for a 'spinal abscess' to progress to a large decubitis ulcer. In addition, when these ulcers are debrided it is important to keep in mind that often the patient becomes bacteremic.
Is it possible the patient could have had a better outcome if care had been rendered differently? Please explain.
Prevention of decubiti requires vigilance on the part of nursing staff, with frequent turning, off-pressuring, and special padding and beds.
About the expert
This highly qualified and board certified expert has over 20 years of experience as an infectious diseases specialist. In addition to a Sc.B. in Biophysics from Brown University, he received a M.D. and a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Stanford University School of Medicine. He also finished fellowships in Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, and Biochemistry. A member of the American Society of Microbiology, he has received over 25 past and current grants for research projects and has published over 40 peer-reviewed original research publications. He is currently the Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at a major medical university.
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About the author
Joseph O'Neill
Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.
