Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim for Failure to Treat a UTI

 Posted on February 07, 2025 in Medical Malpractice

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect millions of people across the United States each year. More than 10 percent of all women in the nation are diagnosed with a UTI each year, and 60 percent of women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime. UTIs appear to be on the rise for reasons that are not entirely clear. Urinary tract infections are also becoming more resistant to antibiotics, which makes them more dangerous. Those with Type 2 diabetes and the elderly are significantly more prone to UTIs.

Elderly patients in nursing homes are especially prone to urinary tract infections due to catheter use and co-existing medical conditions that can mask UTI symptoms. Higher rates of cognitive illnesses, like dementia and Alzheimer’s, can cause patients to be unable to communicate symptoms of a UTI. Urinary tract infections can progress rapidly and can sometimes lead to severe complications such as sepsis or even death.

If a doctor or hospital staff fails to provide proper treatment for a UTI or its complications and the patient suffers catastrophic injury or death, a medical malpractice claim could be warranted. If you or a loved one have had a UTI misdiagnosed or treated improperly, you could benefit from speaking to a Smithsburg, MD personal injury attorney.

How Can a UTI Turn into a Life-Threatening Blood Infection?

A UTI usually starts as a localized infection in the urinary tract. If the UTI is not properly treated, the infection can move from the lower urinary tract to the upper urinary tract, eventually reaching the kidneys. From the kidneys, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, quickly becoming a medical emergency. When a doctor delays treatment or provides inadequate treatment for a UTI, the infection can spread and worsen.

Not all UTIs respond to the first-line treatment for a UTI – a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Those with an indwelling urinary catheter may send bacteria directly into the urinary tract, providing a pathway for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream. In many cases, those with a UTI will have fever and chills, rapid heart rate and breathing, feel generally unwell, and have lower blood pressure. Among the elderly, confusion or altered mental state is also common with a UTI.

How Should Healthcare Professionals Treat UTIs?

Doctors should closely monitor symptoms and positive blood cultures to ensure a UTI does not become a serious, potentially life-threatening medical condition. Since a UTI can lead to complications like sepsis, septic shock, and organ failure, those with UTIs – especially when they are older than 60 – must be treated promptly with frequent follow-ups.

Sepsis causes widespread inflammation throughout the body, and septic shock is a severe form of sepsis, characterized by inadequate blood flow to organs and tissues and resulting in multi-organ failure. While oral antibiotics are the first line of treatment, IV antibiotics are stronger and faster- acting. It is also crucial that the source of the infection be identified and managed.

Urinary tract infections are both common and treatable, but when not managed correctly, a UTI can quickly become dangerous, even fatal. When a doctor fails to properly diagnose and treat a UTI, and it becomes a life-threatening situation, the doctor may be at fault. When a medical professional fails to respond to a medical situation in the same way another medical professional with similar training and given the same set of circumstances would have responded, medical malpractice may be present.

Contact a Washington County, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you believe you or a loved one had a UTI misdiagnosed and it turned into a more serious medical issue, speaking to a Williamsport, MD medical malpractice attorney from Serafini Law should be the first thing you do. Attorney Serafini is supportive of clients yet aggressive with insurance companies. He grew up in Hagerstown, is very active in his local community, and provides highly personalized attention to each client. Call 240-744-1600 today to schedule your free consultation.