Published on:

Blisters around Infusion Site

by

A female patient recently underwent surgery to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. She had been suffering from this condition for years along with hypothyroidism, hypertension and diabetes. Before the surgery was due to start a nurse gave the patient a full checkup and put an IV line into the arm of the patient. The physician requested 5% dextrose, with 40mEq of potassium chloride; the infusion was started while the patient was waiting for the surgery to start.

The Nassau patient was due to undergo surgery shortly after the infusion started. However, as the first operation was more complicated than thought her surgery was delayed. This meant that the patient needed to wait longer than four hours before the surgery started. Around two hours after the IV line was started, the nurse noticed blisters around the infusion site. After surgery these blisters remained and caused necrosis which lead to painful scars.

According to the case details obtained by the Lawyer, the patient thinks that the problems were caused because the catheter was not inserted correctly. This meant that her arm developed eschars which became very painful.

To deal with this the patient required further procedures to remove the excess skin. However, this left scars which she still has to this day. This injury also causes her pain whenever the scar tissue is stretched. Because of this the patient was forced to give up her day job.

The patient hired an Attorney to help file a case against the medical center. The patient alleges that the staff was negligent in their care by not inserting the catheter correctly and not monitoring the site of the infusion. The medical center argues that this symptom is a well-known risk which can be caused by inserting an Intravenous catheter. The Suffolk medical center also explains that the nurse who inserted the catheter has over 20 years of medical experience and has a good reputation for caring for patients.

The lawyers for the medical center made a settlement offer of $1.5 million to cover past and future pain and suffering.

If you have been injured by medical care, then you might be able to sue for compensation. A New York Medical Malpractice Attorney will be able to decide whether or not you have a case. The New York Medical Malpractice Attorney will be able to assist you with every aspect of your case.

Contact Information