Sepsis is one of the most dangerous medical conditions today—and one of the most overlooked. Often starting from something as routine as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, sepsis can spiral into a life-threatening crisis within hours. Tragically, it remains a leading cause of preventable death in hospitals and nursing homes, particularly among the elderly.
If your loved one developed sepsis in a nursing home or hospital due to neglect or delay in treatment, you may have legal options. At Disparti Law Group, we help families hold negligent facilities accountable. Call us today for a free consultation.
In this Article:
- What is Sepsis?
- Signs of Sepsis
- Who is at High Risk for Sepsis?
- Common Causes of Sepsis in Elderly
- How Long Does It Take to Die From Sepsis
- What are the final stages of sepsis?.
- Preventing Sepsis in Nursing Homes
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system mounts an extreme response to an infection. Instead of fighting the infection in a controlled way, the immune system triggers widespread inflammation. This cascade can lead to leaky blood vessels, blood clots, and decreased blood flow, depriving vital organs of oxygen and nutrients.
As the condition escalates, patients may experience tissue damage, multiple organ failure, and, if untreated, death. Sepsis often stems from bacterial infections but can also arise from viral illnesses like COVID-19 and influenza.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with sepsis annually, resulting in over 270,000 deaths. Alarmingly, someone in the United States is diagnosed with sepsis every 20 seconds.
Signs of Sepsis
Early detection is key to surviving sepsis. Recognizing the warning signs can make the difference between life and death. Common symptoms include:
- Fever or hypothermia (unusually low body temperature)
- Fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
- Confusion or disorientation
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Low blood pressure
- Reduced urination
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Skin rash or dark red spots (in some cases)
In severe cases, sepsis may progress to septic shock, where blood pressure drops to dangerous levels, and multiple organs begin to fail.
Who is at high risk for sepsis?
While anyone can develop sepsis, certain groups are more vulnerable. Those at highest risk include:
- Adults over age 65
- People with chronic illnesses like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or obesity
- Patients with weakened immune systems
- Hospitalized individuals with catheters, IVs, or ventilators
- Pregnant women
- People with large burns or traumatic wounds
Older adults are particularly at risk—they are 13 times more likely to be hospitalized for sepsis than younger individuals.
Common Causes of Sepsis in Elderly
In elderly individuals, sepsis frequently originates from common infections that go untreated or are improperly managed. These include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs), including kidney and bladder infections (1 in 4 cases)
- Gastrointestinal infections, including appendicitis or infections of the gallbladder, liver, or bowels
- Lung infections like pneumonia and COVID-19 (account for roughly 1 in 3 sepsis cases)
- Skin infections, such as MRSA or staph
What Are the Three Stages of Sepsis?
Sepsis progresses in three stages.
1. Sepsis
Early symptoms begin to appear, including fever, rapid heartbeat, and confusion.
2. Severe Sepsis
Organs start to malfunction. Breathing becomes difficult, and urine output drops. The skin may appear mottled or discolored.
3. Septic Shock
Blood pressure plummets, and multiple organ systems begin to fail. Without aggressive medical intervention, this stage is often fatal.
What Are the Final Stages of Septic Shock?
In the final stages, patients may experience extreme weakness, shallow breathing, cold extremities, and loss of consciousness.
Death typically occurs when vital organs—such as the kidneys, lungs, or heart—cease to function.
How Long Does It Take to Die From Sepsis
Sepsis is a rapidly progressing condition, and in the most severe cases, it can lead to death in just a matter of hours. The timeline depends on several factors, including the
- patient’s age
- overall health
- type of infection
- how quickly treatment is started.
For example, a healthy adult with mild sepsis who receives prompt care may fully recover. But for an elderly nursing home resident with underlying health conditions, even a minor infection can quickly spiral into septic shock, a medical emergency with a mortality rate as high as 50% in that population.
According to the CDC, the risk of death from sepsis increases by 8% for every hour treatment is delayed. That means even short delays in diagnosing or responding to infection symptoms—something that unfortunately happens often in understaffed or negligent nursing homes—can be deadly.
In many reported cases of wrongful death, elderly patients developed infections such as UTIs or pneumonia, showed signs of worsening health over 1–2 days, and died within 48–72 hours due to untreated or poorly managed sepsis.
Preventing Sepsis in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes have a legal and ethical duty to prevent infections that lead to sepsis. Unfortunately, neglect, understaffing, and poor hygiene often make these facilities breeding grounds for infections.
A recent investigation found that 25,000 nursing home residents die each year after hospital transfers related to sepsis.
To reduce the risk, nursing homes must:
- Maintain proper hygiene and handwashing protocols
- Treat minor infections promptly
- Keep wounds clean and covered
- Monitor high-risk residents for early signs of infection
- Ensure residents are up to date on vaccines
- Provide ongoing care for chronic illnesses
- Respond swiftly to changes in residents’ physical or mental status
When these preventative measures are ignored, families may be left grieving a loss that could—and should—have been prevented.
Has Your Loved One Suffered From Sepsis in a Nursing Home?
If you believe that poor care or negligence led to your loved one’s sepsis diagnosis or death, you have rights. At Disparti Law Group, we understand the trauma families experience when they lose someone to preventable causes. Our legal team fights to hold nursing homes accountable and secure justice for victims of neglect.
Call us today at (312) 600-6000 for FREE consultation. You don’t pay unless we win, that’s Larry’s guarantee.
