An intravenous (IV) catheter is used to administer medication, blood products, fluids, nutrition, and other treatments directly into a patient’s bloodstream. IV therapy is one of the most common medical procedures, but it does come with risks.
IV infiltration is a potentially serious complication. It happens when the IV needle or catheter slips out of place or punctures through the vein. This allows the medication or fluid to leak out into surrounding tissue. When the leakage involves a vesicant medication, also known as a blistering or tissue-damaging drug, infiltration is known as “extravasation.”
Even with non-vesicant fluids, infiltration can cause severe complications. Vesicant medications are even more likely to lead to injury and permanent damage.
Serious Risks and Long-Term Complications of IV Infiltration
While IV therapy is generally safe, IV infiltration can lead to serious complications if not promptly detected and managed.
Potential risks may include:
- Vein rupture
- Burns, blisters, scarring, and other skin damage
- Infections
- Nerve damage that may cause chronic pain or loss of function
- Severe tissue damage or necrosis (tissue death)
- Compartment syndrome, a rare but serious condition in which increased pressure compresses muscles, blood vessels, or nerves and reduces blood flow
- Amputation
- Skin grafts and corrective procedures
Infiltration also means the patient isn’t receiving the fluids or medication as prescribed. The efficacy of the medication can be compromised and lead to underdosing or overdosing. This may mean ineffective treatment of an infection, blood loss, cancer, or other conditions.
Vesicants are most likely to cause serious injuries or complications. Common vesicants include antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and contrast agents.
Signs of IV Infiltration
The sooner infiltration is recognized, the better. Prompt treatment can avoid serious complications like nerve damage by limiting the amount of escaped fluid.
Common signs of infiltration include:
- Local edema or swelling
- Cool skin
- Skin blanching
- Fluid leakage at the puncture site
- Pain around the injection site
- A feeling of fullness in the affected area
Medical providers should not rely on infusion pump alarms to detect IV infiltration. The IV site should be inspected regularly by looking above and below the puncture site and checking the opposite side of the limb. Providers can determine needle position by withdrawing the syringe, checking the blood return, and using a tourniquet test to determine if fluid is leaking into tissue.
How Does IV Infiltration Happen?
IV infiltration can happen when natural movement or bending causes the catheter to move. It may occur when IV tubing gets caught on something and pulls the catheter out of place.
There are risk factors for infiltration, like frequent cannulation and large-gauge needles. Older adults and patients with diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions may also have a higher risk. Changes to the vein-wall structure can make it easier for fluid to escape.
Catheter placement is a major risk factor regardless of age or health. Infiltration is more common in areas with little soft tissue. Veins in the wrist, hand, and antecubital fossa (depression where the arm transitions into the forearm) have a high risk of complications from IV infiltration due to catheter movement. Veins in the forearm have a much lower risk, as the anatomy creates a natural splint.
Infiltration may also be caused by negligence. Healthcare providers have a duty of care to:
- Ensure IV needles are inserted properly
- Use the correct catheter size
- Follow safety protocols and medical device instructions
- Use sterile catheters, needles, tubing, and other equipment
- Consider the patient’s risk factors when choosing a catheter placement site
- Monitor the IV site and patient for signs of infiltration
Early detection of infiltration is crucial to prevent the most serious complications like necrosis and nerve damage.
Defective IV equipment can also be the cause of IV infiltration. Researchers estimate that defective medical devices have caused 1.7 million injuries and over 80,000 deaths in just the past ten years.
Seek Legal Help If You Were Injured By IV Infiltration in Houston, TX
If you were injured by IV infiltration, you may have a claim against the medical provider or a manufacturer. However, medical malpractice and product liability are notoriously complex areas of law. A Houston personal injury lawyer can help you investigate how your injury happened and explore your legal options.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Personal Injury Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact our Undefeated personal injury attorneys in Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
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Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
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