Baby’s Death Prompts Urgent Review of Sepsis Care at London Hospital

NHS authorities have called for an immediate review of sepsis care protocols at a London hospital following the tragic death of an 11-month-old infant, Martyn Mirchev, due to treatment delays, as disclosed by The Standard.

Martyn Mirchev passed away on May 16 last year, mere six hours after readmission to Kingston Hospital. The infant had initially been discharged on May 2, with doctors awaiting results from a throat swab after his parents reported symptoms of fever and vomiting. Despite the concerns, antibiotics were not prescribed pending the swab results.

Regrettably, the hospital’s laboratory had not received the test results when they were chased by a nurse practitioner eight days later. By the time Martyn was readmitted, he had developed Group A strep infection and sepsis, a condition that prompts the body to attack itself in response to an infection.

Speaking for the first time since their son’s passing, Martyn’s parents, Veni and Deyan, paid tribute to their “amazing little boy.” Ms. Mirchev recounted the heart-wrenching experience, expressing the anguish of watching her son’s rapid deterioration and feeling helpless in the face of his illness.

A subsequent investigation report by the Trust, dated November 2023, uncovered critical lapses in Martyn’s care, including gaps in sepsis care knowledge, incomplete medical observations upon arrival at the hospital, and a failure to follow up on the missing swab results.

While the report indicated that earlier treatment might have improved Martyn’s chances of survival, investigators could not definitively conclude this. It emphasized the urgent need for immediate actions to enhance the safety of children receiving emergency care and prevent further avoidable deaths from sepsis.

Martyn’s family, supported by legal representatives from Irwin Mitchell, underscored the importance of thorough investigation and comprehensive staff training to uphold the highest standards of care.

Emergency staff’s failure to promptly recognize and address abnormal observations during the initial assessment was highlighted, along with the delayed initiation of sepsis treatment, which ultimately led to Martyn’s demise.

An inquest into Martyn’s death is expected to take place at a later date. Meanwhile, the family urges vigilance among parents and the public, stressing the importance of recognizing symptoms of sepsis for early intervention.

In response to the tragedy, a spokesperson for Kingston Hospital NHS Trust expressed condolences to the family and acknowledged deficiencies in the care provided. Immediate measures have been implemented to enhance patient safety, with a commitment to ongoing improvements in sepsis management.

The devastating loss of Martyn Mirchev serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for swift and effective sepsis care, underscoring the imperative for continuous evaluation and enhancement of medical protocols to safeguard lives.