Overview
• IV therapy is one of the more routine medical procedures, wherein a patient’s fluids, drugs, or other dietary nutrients are directly injected into their bloodstream.
• Although IV therapy is regarded as one of the safest medical procedures, complications such as IV infiltration can lead to significant harm to the patient.
• This blog post analyses the case of IV infiltration as medical malpractice, the legal landscape of such claims, and the importance medical record reviews hold in building these cases.
What is IV Infiltration?
Defining and Identifying Causes for IV Infiltration
• IV Infiltration is characterized by the IV fluid leaking into surrounding tissues rather than being delivered into the vein.
• Primary causes include the following:
• Incorrect placement of the IV catheter
• Catheter displacement
• Improper anchorage of the IV line.
Symptom Indicators of IV Infiltration
• Symptoms may involve:
• Edema of the IV site region
• Discomfort or pain
• Temperature variations in the skin
• Dermal redness or paleness
• Decrease in IV fluid delivery.
Possible Consequences
• For more serious cases, infiltration can cause:
• Tissue damage
• Nerve injury
• Necrosis (death of tissue)
When exactly does IV Infiltration cross the boundaries of medical malpractice?
Constitution of Medical Malpractice
• Medical malpractice is defined as the act of a healthcare provider failing to render the requisite standard of care to the patient, resulting in harm to the patient.
• Medical malpractice in cases of IV infiltration requires establishing the following core elements:
Standard of Care
• There is a standard of care expectation placed of healthcare providers, which is an accepted level of care that any reasonably competent professional would provide in the same situation.
- Breach of Duty
- A breach of this duty arises if the provider strays from the accepted standard of care by:
- Using incorrect techniques of insertion
- Not enough supervision of the IV site
- Failure to acknowledge and/or prevent infiltration signs
- Causation
- A breach of duty and harm to the patient in this case should relate in some direct manner due to the provider’s negligence.
- Damages
- A claim of damages needs to be provided which in this case involves:
- Medical treatment needed to be taken.
- Suffering from various pains.
- Earnings not received owing to absence from work.
The Role of Medical Records Review in Malpractice Cases
Importance of Medical Records
- Medical records play an important part in a case as far as the facts are concerned which includes:
- The patient’s previous medical history.
- Protocols of treatment administered.
- Symptoms with responses from the provider.
How We Assist Attorneys
- Comprehensive Reviews: We offer litigation support by performing detailed medical record reviews to uncover inconsistencies relevant to the allegations.
- As expert witnesses, we provide supporting documents of their findings strengthen the claims made in court by attorneys.
What To Do If You Think There’s been Malpractice?
Evidence Collection
• Obtain pertinent medical documentation as follows:
• I.V. administration records
• Nursing documentation
• Orders from physicians
Do Not Rule Out Alternative Resolution: These options should only be considered after a lawsuit has been filed.
Discuss with doctors in advance to devise a winning strategy for the lawsuit because they specialize in this field.
Case Study
Case Study 1: Advanced IV Infiltration during Treatment
• Overview: A patient undergoing chemotherapy suffered from severe IV infiltration secondary to incorrect placement of catheter.
• Challenges: The patient had to undergo surgery due to necrosis.
• Solutions: Inadequate documentation and monitoring by the nursing staff was uncovered during the medical record audit.
• Compensation: The patient was compensated in form of settlement for medical and other associated expenses alongside pain and suffering.
Case Study 2: IV Therapy Over-sight
• Overview: A patient on hydration therapy developed severe edema and pain secondary to IV infiltration.
• Challenges: The healthcare practitioner was slow to recognize the signs of infiltration and delayed response.
• Solutions: Lack of on-going evaluation or monitoring was documented by subsequent medical records.
• Compensation: Paid the money sought out for claimed medical expenses and earnings that could have been acquired during the period of recovery, and the patient was granted the compensation.
Conclusion
The complications which can arise from IV infiltration are very serious and may amount to medical malpractice in a legal context, should the requisite standards of care not be adhered to. For patients as well as lawyers dealing with such cases, appreciating the heuristic outline of the law alongside the scope of the medical records is equally important. With the right knowledge, individuals are empowered to take meaningful steps towards filing claims and pursuing appropriate legal reparations.
