Were You Injured After IV Therapy in Pennsylvania?

Like any medical treatment, there is always the possibility that the intervention may not work as it was intended or could cause some type of injury. When patients are given a recommendation for a particular treatment, they should also be given informed consent.  This is the process of a healthcare provider explaining to their patient all pertinent information regarding the proposed treatment. A provider should thoroughly explain what to expect during the treatment, why they are advising the patient to try the treatment, the potential side effects of the treatment along with its benefits, and any other type of alternative treatments that could exist. This helps a patient make their own informed decision about whether they will accept the recommended treatment or not.

IV therapy is a means to deliver various solutions and medications intravenously. While IV therapy can be extremely beneficial, it is not immune from improper administration or negligent administration. As a result, if this happens, a patient could suffer significant physical bodily harm. 

If problems took place when you were obtaining IV therapy and you believe you were injured, you may be able to hold your provider accountable for your damages by filing a medical malpractice claim. If you live in Pennsylvania, you can reach out to a Philadelphia medical malpractice attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP to speak with a legal professional who can examine your case and inform you of your rights.

How Can IV Therapy Harm a Patient?

Being given IV therapy means that you will have to endure the pinch of a generally small catheter needle puncturing your skin to access your veins. This application can have an initial bit of pain due to the pinch when the needle pierces the skin, but that happens with any type of injection.

However, if the needle is not inserted correctly, IV infiltration can occur. This happens when the fluid or medicine in the IV does not fully make it to the bloodstream but instead, the fluids are pumped into a person’s surrounding tissue. There are significant indications that IV infiltration may have happened including:

• Noticeable swelling and readiness in the area where the needle was put into the body.
• Tenderness and pain or burning sensations at the injection point.
• Liquid leakage from the injection point.
• Unusual and taut appearance of the skin.

When IV therapy is used to treat a specific condition it is usually incredibly important that all of the medication get into the bloodstream to work as intended. However, if some or all of a medicine misses the vein then, a patient will not get what they need to manage or recover from their condition. This can result in their condition worsening and other painful ailments may ensue. Some of these may include, but are not limited to:

• Infection
• Death of soft tissue
• Nerve damage
• Disfigurement
• Amputation

Speak to an Attorney at Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP Today

Very serious health consequences can result if IV therapy is not precisely administered. If this has happened to you, call Edelstein Martin & Nelson, LLP at (215) 731-9900 to schedule a free, initial consultation where you can go over your case with an experienced attorney.