WHEN Shirley Bartram began suffering severe pain in her left side, coupled with vomiting, a raised heart rate and the inability to pass urine for 12 hours, she rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with a suspected kidney infection.
But an “antibiotics mistake” led to the gran and mum-of-four’s fingers and toes turning black and suddenly “dropping off”.
Shirley Bartram with daughter Kelly[/caption]
The gran was placed in an induced coma for four weeks – her health deteriorated after a kidney infection and she developed life-threatening sepsis[/caption]
When she woke up from the coma her hands and feet had started to die[/caption]
While at hospital, the 69-year-old, from Gravesend, was prescribed intravenous antibiotics to treat her UTI, but was discharged just a few hours later and sent home with oral antibiotics instead.
Shirley’s condition then deteriorated quickly and the gran ended up being placed into an induced coma for four weeks.
It was when she woke up that the tissue in her hands and feet had started to die – as she had developed life-threatening sepsis.
“Before all this happened, I was independent and active,” Shirley, a former carer, said.
“Now I struggle with the simplest things that many people take for granted.
“Holding a pen is impossible and I need help with things I used to do without thinking – buttoning clothes, washing my hair, preparing meals.
“I can’t manage stairs without help.
“Walking is painful and exhausting.
“I wear a brace on my left foot to try and stop it catching, but I still fall over.
“I can just about walk to the local shop aided with a walking stick and also some trips out to the cinema – but I am sometimes limited.”
After Shirley had been discharged from hospital, she was sick through the night
She was then re-admitted the next afternoon in September 2022.
It was then she was diagnosed with sepsis, which is believed to have been caused by her kidney infection.
Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection.
The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly.
Sepsis may then lead to septic shock, which is a dramatic drop in blood pressure than can dam,age the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs.
If the damage is severe, it can lead to death.
In total, Shirley spent four weeks in intensive care and nine weeks in hospital.
Now, she only has her fourth and little finger remaining on her right hand, with her index finger and little finger lost on her left.
Her toes are gradually self-amputating and bones in the feet have also changed shape.
‘It’s not just the physical toll, it’s the emotional one too’
Shirley, who lives with her daughter, Kelly, 47, is suffering from repeated swelling in her right hip because of infections and has experienced leaking from a wound in her top right leg.
Metalwork from a previous hip displacement has loosened as a result and it’s a waiting game while doctors try to find a solution.
She said: “It’s not just the physical toll, it’s the emotional one too.
“[…] I feel very self-conscious about my hands.
“I can’t thank Kelly enough for everything she does for me, but it’s upsetting to think about what has happened and how much independence I’ve lost.
“It’s hard to accept.
I just hope that by sharing my story, I can raise awareness of how dangerous sepsis is so others don’t have to go [and] endure what I have
Shirley Bartram
“I’m still concerned whether everything possible was done to prevent what happened to me and the least I feel I deserve is answers.
“However, I just hope that by sharing my story, I can raise awareness of how dangerous sepsis is so others don’t have to go [and] endure what I have.”
Shirley has instructed medical negligence lawyers, Irwin Mitchell, to investigate her care at Darent Valley Hospital.
Josh Beszant, a specialist medical negligence lawyer representing Shirley, said: “The last few years and coming to terms with her life-changing injuries has been incredibly difficult for Shirley.
“She was previously very independent but has now lost this and is more reliant on her family.
“While the Trust has admitted that intravenous antibiotics should have been given, but were not, Shirley firmly believes more should have been done to help and monitor her during her first hospital visit.
Shirley only has her fourth and little finger remaining on her right hand, with her index finger and little finger lost on her left[/caption]
Her toes are gradually self-amputating and bones in the feet have also changed shape[/caption]
“Nothing can make up for what she’s been through, but we’re determined to secure Shirley with access to the specialist support and therapies she requires.
“We call on the Trust to resolve the remaining issues in this case, allowing Shirley to focus on her rehabilitation.
“In the meantime, we join her in warning of the dangers of sepsis and the need for everyone to be aware of the signs.
“Sepsis is a medical emergency with early detection and appropriate treatment vital to preventing serious injury and even death.”
A spokesperson for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said: “Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is very sorry for the distress and complications experienced by Ms. Bartram and her family.
“We recognise how deeply personal and difficult this is for everyone involved.
What causes sepsis?
Any type of infection can lead to sepsis, this includes bacterial, viral or fungal infections.
Those that more commonly cause sepsis include infections of:
- Lungs, such as pneumonia.
- Kidney, bladder and other parts of the urinary system.
- Digestive system.
- Bloodstream.
- Catheter sites.
- Wounds or burns.
Some factors may increase the risk infection will lead to sepsis. These include:
- People over age 65.
- Infancy.
- People with lower immune response, such as those being treated for cancer or people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Admission to intensive care unit or longer hospital stays.
- Devices that go in the body, such as catheters in the vein, called intravenous, or breathing tubes.
- Treatment with antibiotics in the last 90 days.
- A condition that requires treatment with corticosteroids, which can lower immune response.
Sepsis needs treatment in hospital straight away because it can get worse quickly.
You should get antibiotics within one to six hours of arriving at hospital.
If sepsis isn’t treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause your organs to fail, which is life-threatening.
Source: Mayo Clinic
“While legal proceedings are ongoing, and to respect patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual clinical details.
“However, we have acknowledged shortcomings in certain aspects of the care provided, and we are fully cooperating with the legal process that will determine cause and effect.
“We remain committed to learning and strengthening our procedures to ensure the highest standards of safety and care for all our patients.
“We actively support national initiatives to raise awareness of the signs of sepsis.
“Early recognition and prompt treatment are vital, and we remain dedicated to working with our staff and the wider community to promote greater understanding of this serious condition.”
What are the symptoms of sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that happens when your immune system overreacts and starts to damage your body’s own tissues and organs.
Symptoms of sepsis in an adult include:
- Acting confused, slurred speech or not making sense
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing, breathlessness or breathing very fast
Symptoms in a child include:
- Blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- A rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it, the same as meningitis
- Difficulty breathing (you may notice grunting noises or their stomach sucking under their ribcage), breathlessness or breathing very fast
- A weak, high-pitched cry that’s not like their normal cry
- Not responding like they normally do, or not interested in feeding or normal activities
- Being sleepier than normal or having difficulty waking
They may not have all these symptoms.
If you think you or someone else has symptoms of sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E.
Source: NHS
