Why doctors should be careful when using IVs

In a hospital setting, a common way to receive pain relievers and other medications is through an IV. Known in the medical profession as a PICC line, they are helpful in delivering medicines to people who are unconscious or need medication to take effect quickly.

While this method is largely effective, it can create unforeseen complications. According to a University of Michigan Medical School report, the risk of blood clots can increase with the overuse of IV devices. Also, physicians should be wary of using IVs with certain patients with a history of clotting issues, especial deep vein thrombosis.

According to the report, doctors should monitor for clots, make sure that patients continue to take asprin and statins that were previously prescribed, and make sure to remove the PICC before any surgical procedure that takes place. Further, patients are encouraged to ask questions about the PICC and why it is being used.

These precautions are examples of a doctor’s or an assistant’s duty to use reasonable care while caring for a patient. They are also important for establishing a legal basis for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Basically, if a physician or nurse fails to use such care, and the failure is the proximate cause of a patient’s injury, the physician or nurse could be held liable for their mistakes.

A patient injured in this fashion could seek monetary damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, additional medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. If you have been injured or sickened due to what you may believe is medical malpractice, an experienced attorney can advise you.