Our program for legal nurse consultants on IV therapy malpractice and complications revealed some frightening facts. As little as one ounce of air can enter the blood vessel in a second and result in death.
Sue, RN, a skilled IV therapy expert witness, educator, and author, explained some of the ways that air can get into the intravascular system of a patient when there is:
- a hole in the catheter
- disconnection of IV tubing
- removal of a cap on an intravenous line
- accidental pumping or injecting of air.
- the omission of the step of running IV fluid through a catheter to prime the tubing to remove air.
- a site of entry above the heart (such as the blood vessels in the neck or upper chest)
- an accidental removal of a central intravenous line, such as when a patient pulls the line out.
- laughing, coughing or sneezing during central line removal
Healthcare professionals can allow air to enter the vein when they do not apply an occlusive dressing over a central line insertion site. Sue defined occlusive as the application of an antimicrobial ointment over the entry site covered by a transparent dressing. Sue pointed out that many deaths from air embolism are undetected because the symptoms are vague, and not associated with an action on the part of a healthcare provider. This is why air embolism is called the silent killer.
Med League provides medical expert witnesses to trial lawyers. Please call us at (908)788-8227 or contact us today to discuss your next case.
