IV Errors - Medical Malpractice Attorney in Florida

Administering fluids or medications intravenously is often necessary during many treatments, procedures, surgeries, and childbirth. Placing an IV is one of the most important skills a nurse must have in any health care setting, as hundreds of patients can require IVs each day. Nurses and other medical practitioners must learn and train how to place an IV, how to detect signs of complications, and what to do if a problem does arise. One possible complication is intravenous infiltration.

IV infiltration occurs when a nurse places the IV improperly, and it leaks toxic fluids into the surrounding tissues instead of the bloodstream. Improper IV placement, the catheter becoming dislodged (often due to patient movement), or the catheter passing through the vein or blood vessel wall can all lead to infiltration. Although the vast majority of IVs do not cause harm to patients, all of them have the potential for significant damage.

IV infiltration can be extremely serious if it goes undetected. It is the responsibility of a nurse to prevent and treat IV infiltration as quickly and efficiently as possible.IV infiltration can result in toxic substances entering the patient’s tissues. Without treatment, this can result in symptoms such as swelling of the tissues, blanching, tight skin, burning or discomfort, and decreased IV flow rate.

Suppose a nurse fails to notice IV infiltration after the patient presents signs and symptoms. In that case, prolonged infiltration can permanently damage the muscles, nerves, and tissues in the area receiving the toxic chemicals. A medical malpractice lawsuit can arise if a nurse negligently causes and/or fails to detect and treat IV infiltration.