Death of Rory Staunton galvanises nationwide effort to stop sepsis

New York Times says major hospitals join to save children from deadly disease

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KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

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Rory Staunton died of sepsis having been sent home from hospital undiagnosed

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A nationwide effort to catch a fatal illness in children has begun In the wake of the tragic death of 12-year-old Rory Staunton at the hands of sepsis,The New York Times has reported. Staunton was the son of Irish-born parents, Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton, who live in Queens, New York.

The New York Times has reported that, “Rory’s case has prompted doctors, nurses and hospital administrators across the country to make new efforts to head off the kinds of problems that may have contributed to his death.”

Rory’s parents Ciaran and Orlaith Staunton have begun a crusade to inform parents about their rights in emergency rooms and to encourage reform in hospitals nationwide. They are seeking passage of a “Rory’s Law” which would safeguard children in emergency rooms and help doctors and parents look for signs of sepsis. Their website is rorystaunton.com.

Sepsis can be very successfully treated with antibiotics if caught in time. Every delayed hour makes it more difficult to stop.

Rory Staunton passed away after contracting an infection through a scrape he received while playing basketball. The night he incurred the scrape, he began vomiting, prompting his mother Orlaith Staunton to take him to the doctor the next day.

By the time Rory saw his family pediatrician, he was running a high fever and suffering severe leg pain, and his skin was not returning to its normal color quickly when pressed with a finger. Concluding that it was a stomach bug, Rory’s doctor sent him to the emergency room at NYU Langone for fluids.

After some intravenous drugs, a doctor thought Rory looked better and sent him home with anti-nausea medication. Three nights later, Rory passed away from sepsis while in the Intensive Care Unit at NYU Langone.

Following his death, his grieving parents began to piece together signs that had been missed or miscommunicated during Rory’s care. His pediatrician noted his mottled skin, a rapid pulse was record while at NYU Langone, and a highly  irregular blood test showing massive infection was delivered three hours after Rory had initially been discharged from the ER. Together, those signs would point to something much more dire than just an upset stomach.

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