On January 23, 2023,Tobe Lee Fluty, Jr. was quickly dismissed by medical personnel for the second time in two days. He had just left jail medical at Randall County Jail in Amarillo, Texas, when he fell in the hallway outside his housing unit. Deputies placed him in a wheelchair and returned him to medical. Mr. Fluty appeared to be unconscious and lifesaving measures began.

Why Sepsis Deaths are Considered Preventable

Previous installments in this series show that periodontitis leads to sepsis, which is deadly without prompt treatment. Medical experts consistently say that sepsis is treatable and preventable, including deaths caused by sepsis. However, sepsis is a leading cause of death in US hospitals.

A study was done to explore ways to decrease sepsis mortality rates. It was determined that for every hour antimicrobial treatment is delayed after the onset of hypotension, the mortality rate increases by 7.6%. It is clear that rapid initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy is necessary to prevent sepsis deaths.

A complication among patients is that broad-spectrum antibiotics are often used, which can be a contributing factor to antimicrobial resistance.   

As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

This places jail inmates at a heightened risk because jails are generally known more for delays than promptness in providing appropriate inmate medical care. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) reports annually that more complaints pertain to city and county jail medical care than any other topic.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.

Helping inmates jailed in local Texas jurisdictions is the purpose of this site. Making accusations that persons or entities have participated in wrongdoing is never intended.

–Guest Contributor