Having a simple blood test could prevent the dangerous complications associated with a medical condition called sepsis.
"Sepsis is really the body's response to severe infection," says California Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Steven Peck. "There's inflammatory activity in the cells trying to fight the infection, but in some ways, it's thought that the body turns upon itself."
Also called "blood poisoning," sepsis kills 215,000 Americans every year, according to the Sepsis Alliance. Those lucky enough to survive can face organ failure and lost limbs.
"Sometimes it can move very quickly, sometimes minutes to hours, and so catching it early, your window of easy treatment can be very narrow," says Elder Abuse Lawyer Peck.
Commonly, sepsis is diagnosed only after symptoms start to show, but thanks to a new blood test, sepsis can be detected earlier Peck says.
The test measures a protein which can be found in the blood called procalcitonin. It measures the levels of procalcitonin, normally not present in a healthy individual. The higher the levels of procalcitonin, the greater the risk of patients going to progress to severe sepsis or septic shock.
Using the procalcitonin test, doctors can easily locate the protein in the blood, catching sepsis before it's too late.
Although elderly residents are awarded certain nursing home rights, some facilities, either unknowingly or intentionally, may violate these basic rights. If you suspect your loved one is being abused in a nursing home or otherwise deprived of their nursing home resident rights, such as bed sores, dehydration, malnutrition, infection, under staffing, physical abuse, you should immediately contact us toll free at 1.866.999.9085 or on-line at www.thepecklawgroup.com for a free thorough case review and evaluation. This case review is being offered at no cost and shall help determine whether you should take legal action on behalf of your elder / dependent adult loved one. We Will Help You!!
