When a patient needs long-term IV treatments, doctors use a peripherally inserted central catheter or PICC line. This thin, flexible tube delivers medication, fluids, and nutrition directly into the bloodstream. It’s a useful tool, but it can also be dangerous if it’s not handled correctly.
In Atlanta hospitals, medical professionals are responsible for inserting and maintaining PICC lines safely. When they make mistakes, patients can suffer serious health complications that may have been entirely preventable.
What Exactly Is a PICC Line?
Doctors use a PICC line when patients need medicine or treatment over a long period of time. Instead of a regular IV, which is placed in the hand and used for only a short while, a PICC line goes into a vein in the upper arm and is carefully threaded through the body until it reaches a larger vein near the heart.
This lets doctors give medications without having to insert a new IV every time. Some patients also need a PICC line for frequent blood tests. Because of how close it sits to the heart, a PICC line must be placed with precision. If a doctor or nurse doesn’t follow the proper steps, serious problems can arise.
The Potential Risks of PICC Line Mistakes
A properly placed PICC line is perfectly safe. However, when something goes wrong, it puts the patient at risk.
Some of the most common complications include:
- Infections: Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the catheter and lead to a dangerous infection (sepsis)
- Blood Clots: The PICC line can irritate the vein or block normal blood flow, potentially causing deep vein thrombosis
- Nerve Damage: If the catheter is inserted incorrectly, it can press against nearby nerves and cause pain or weakness in the arm
In rare cases, a misplaced PICC line can disrupt the heart’s normal rhythm. This could lead to an irregular heartbeat or other cardiovascular issues.
How Medical Negligence Can Lead To Harm
Doctors and nurses are trained to carefully insert and maintain PICC lines. Unfortunately, mistakes still happen, and when they do, the results can be devastating.
The most common errors include:
- Incorrect Placement: A PICC line has to be guided to the right location and can’t be too short or too deep
- Failure to Monitor: Medical staff are supposed to regularly check for signs of infection, clotting, or catheter movement
- Poor Hygiene Practices: If the line isn’t kept clean, bacteria can contaminate it and enter the bloodstream
- Ignored Warning Signs: Symptoms like pain, swelling, or fever should never be brushed off, no matter how minor
When these mistakes happen, patients are the ones who suffer. A small oversight can quickly turn into a serious health crisis.
Signs That Something’s Wrong With a PICC Line
If a PICC line isn’t working as it should, the body gives warning signals. Some signs of trouble include:
- Redness, swelling, or warmth around the insertion site
- Fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms
- Sudden pain in the arm, shoulder, or chest
- Shortness of breath or an abnormal heartbeat
- Pus or fluid leaking from the catheter site
Every one of these symptoms should be taken seriously. Acting quickly can prevent more severe complications.
Why Medical Safety Matters
PICC lines are meant to help patients, not harm them. In Atlanta, medical providers have to follow strict safety protocols to make sure these catheters are used correctly.
When those standards aren’t met, patients can suffer unnecessarily. Holding healthcare providers accountable not only benefits the patient but also helps prevent similar harm from happening to someone else in the future.
Contact an Atlanta medical malpractice lawyer if you suffered complications from an improperly placed PICC line.
Contact the Atlanta Medical Malpractice Law Firm of Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you or a close one have suffered from medical malpractice in Atlanta, Georgia, please call Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers at (770) 390-7550 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation today.
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