Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)
Academic Term
Fall 2014
Document Type
Project
Course Number
NURS 5330
Course Name
Advanced Pathophysiology
Professor’s Name
John D. Chovan, James R. Cacchillo
Keywords
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection, Flesh Eating Bacteria, Infectious Diseases
Subject Categories
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses | Medical Pathology | Nursing | Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Abstract
Necrotizing fasciitis also known as necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) is a rare life-threatening infection that involves the skin and soft tissue. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of NSTIs must be identified by healthcare providers to diminish morbidity and mortality. NSTIs are characterized by progressive necrosis of subcutaneous tissue and fascia involving large areas of tissue (Lin, Chang, Lai, Lin, & Chen, 2013). Hippocrates (500 BC) described necrotizing fasciitis as “diffuse erysipelas caused by trivial accidents [where] flesh, sinews, and bones fell away in large quantities, [leading to] death in many cases” (Lancerotto, Tocco, Salmaso, Vindigni & Bassetto, 2012). In recent years the bacteria which causes this infection has been described by the media as “flesh eating”, a term that remains synonymous with necrotizing fasciitis.
Recommended Citation
Herron, Holly, "Necrotizing Fasciitis" (2014). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 15.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/15
Included in
Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons, Medical Pathology Commons, Nursing Commons, Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Commons