What Is IV Infiltration? Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment
Intravenous (IV) therapy is commonly used to deliver fluids, medications, blood products, and nutrients directly into a patient’s bloodstream. Because IV treatment bypasses the digestive system, it allows the body to absorb these substances quickly and efficiently.
Although IV therapy is generally safe, complications can occur. One of the most serious is IV infiltration, which happens when fluids or medications leak into the surrounding tissue instead of entering the vein properly, potentially causing pain, swelling, tissue damage, and other medical problems.
How IV Infiltration Occurs
IV infiltration occurs when a substance is delivered to the tissues around a vein rather than into the vein. It happens when the catheter end is outside the vein due to situations like these:
Placement Error
The nurse, physician, or phlebotomist who placed the IV needle might have missed the vein. This could happen when the needle does not go deep enough to puncture the vein, goes too deep and pushes through the vein, or goes to the side of the vein. As a result, the catheter delivers fluid above, below, or next to the vein.
This error can result from medical malpractice. Specifically, a cautious professional would look for a “flashback” of blood into the catheter or flash chamber. This indicates that the needle has hit a vein.
If the medical provider does not see the flashback, they should try again to correctly place the needle. Professional negligence may occur if the professional leaves the catheter in place despite the absence of flashback.
Securement Error
The catheter might slip out of the vein if the practitioner fails to secure it. This mistake can happen at two points.
First, the practitioner is supposed to press on the catheter after pushing it into the vein. This pressure holds the catheter in place while the needle is withdrawn. The needle can pull the catheter from the vein if a practitioner fails to hold it in place or pulls on the catheter while withdrawing the needle.
Second, once the needle is withdrawn, the professional must tape the catheter to the patient’s body. Tension in the catheter could dislodge it when a professional omits this step or performs it carelessly.
Product Defect
A defective catheter might leak. If the product was defective when it left the manufacturer, the injured patient might have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or other parties involved in the product’s distribution. Conversely, if the practitioner damaged it while unwrapping or prepping it, you may have a medical malpractice claim against the practitioner’s employer.
Symptoms and Treatment of IV Infiltration
When an IV misses a vein, the fluid will fill the tissues surrounding it instead. Symptoms of IV infiltration include pain, tightness, and swelling (also called edema).
If the mistake is detected early, the tissues may only suffer minor damage from the pressure of the IV fluids. You can also sustain damage, though, if your muscle or connective tissues have an adverse reaction to the IV fluid.
Treatment typically involves removing the IV. In severe cases, the patient may need medication or surgery to reduce the edema.
Can IV Infiltration Lead to a Medical Malpractice Claim in Alabama?
IV infiltration is not always the result of medical negligence. However, when a healthcare provider fails to properly place, secure, monitor, or respond to problems with an IV line, the resulting injuries may support a medical malpractice claim.
Medical professionals are expected to follow accepted standards of care when administering IV therapy. If a provider ignores signs of infiltration, fails to monitor a patient appropriately, or improperly places the catheter, serious complications such as tissue damage, compartment syndrome, infections, or permanent injuries can occur.
If you suffered harm because of an IV infiltration that could have been prevented with proper medical care, you may have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced Alabama medical malpractice attorney can review your situation and explain your legal options.
Contact the Birmingham Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
IV infiltration can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and may lead to lasting complications. If you believe a healthcare provider’s negligence contributed to your injury, you may have legal options for pursuing compensation.
The medical malpractice attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers help patients and families throughout Alabama understand their rights after preventable medical errors. For more information, contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Shelby County, Madison County, Montgomery County in Alabama, and its surrounding areas. We are located in Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery.
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