[bluecec]

On 10-18-06 I went to the hospital for LRQ abdominal pain, I was giving an IV lock in my Left AC. I had immediate pain and pressure in the AC after the IV was placed. The nurse was able to draw labs from the IV, but it was extremely painful and took about 5min to draw 4 tubes. The nurse then pushed 10cc of NS, followed by IVP of 12.5mg phenergan, immediately following the IVP phenergan my arm felt like it was on fire from my elbow to my fingers and my hand went numb. The nurse then pushed another 10cc of NS. About 10min later my arm started to swell and began to form a knot at the IV site, the pain was a 10/10 on a pain scale. It took them another 15 - 20min to come back to my room and remove the IV and place an Ice pack on my arm, the Dr. did not come back to look at my arm. I was discharged from the hospital. I went to my Personal Dr. the next day and he was very concerned about my arm. He informed me that I might have pain for the next 6 months from the damage of my tissue and vein. He also told me if I have anymore LRQ pain or complications with my arm to go back into the ER. I went back on 10-20-06 for increased LRQ abdominal pain and for my L arm. My arm was bruised from my armpit down my Thumb. Any movement with the arm caused extreme pain. The ER Dr. told me nothing to worry about it was just an infiltrated IV. I went back to work on 10-23-06 but could not perform my job functions because I could not loft anything with my L arm. I developed an infection in my elbow Monday night and went back to my Personal Dr. on 10-24-06 who prescribed me with tyenol-3 and cephalexin. He also told me that I had to be off work for at least 2 weeks, I am supposed to go back to work on 11-06-06. I still have pain in my arm of about a 4 - 6 when I move or lift anything with it. I have talked to a lawyer here that says he will not take my case because it is 1) against an HCA hospital and 2) will not make enough money. I am out around 2k at this point with lost wages and Dr. bills. What action can I take if any, and is there anything I can do alone.

[deadlock]

On 10-18-06 I went to the hospital for LRQ abdominal pain, I was giving an IV lock in my Left AC. I had immediate pain and pressure in the AC after the IV was placed. The nurse was able to draw labs from the IV, but it was extremely painful and took about 5min to draw 4 tubes. The nurse then pushed 10cc of NS, followed by IVP of 12.5mg phenergan, immediately following the IVP phenergan my arm felt like it was on fire from my elbow to my fingers and my hand went numb. The nurse then pushed another 10cc of NS. About 10min later my arm started to swell and began to form a knot at the IV site, the pain was a 10/10 on a pain scale. It took them another 15 - 20min to come back to my room and remove the IV and place an Ice pack on my arm, the Dr. did not come back to look at my arm. I was discharged from the hospital. I went to my Personal Dr. the next day and he was very concerned about my arm. He informed me that I might have pain for the next 6 months from the damage of my tissue and vein. He also told me if I have anymore LRQ pain or complications with my arm to go back into the ER. I went back on 10-20-06 for increased LRQ abdominal pain and for my L arm. My arm was bruised from my armpit down my Thumb. Any movement with the arm caused extreme pain. The ER Dr. told me nothing to worry about it was just an infiltrated IV. I went back to work on 10-23-06 but could not perform my job functions because I could not loft anything with my L arm. I developed an infection in my elbow Monday night and went back to my Personal Dr. on 10-24-06 who prescribed me with tyenol-3 and cephalexin. He also told me that I had to be off work for at least 2 weeks, I am supposed to go back to work on 11-06-06. I still have pain in my arm of about a 4 - 6 when I move or lift anything with it. I have talked to a lawyer here that says he will not take my case because it is 1) against an HCA hospital and 2) will not make enough money. I am out around 2k at this point with lost wages and Dr. bills. What action can I take if any, and is there anything I can do alone.

In between a malpractice claim and "do nothing" is to make an appointment with the COS, hospital administrator, or the Risk Manager/Quality Management. State what you just told the forum and ask if they might be willing to take finacial responsibilty for the administration of Phenergan directly into a vein in a superficial vein (not the method of administration recommended by the manufacturer of Phernergan). Be prepared to provide all the cost of their medication error.

[rmet4nzkx]

On 10-18-06 I went to the hospital for LRQ abdominal pain, I was giving an IV lock in my Left AC. I had immediate pain and pressure in the AC after the IV was placed. The nurse was able to draw labs from the IV, but it was extremely painful and took about 5min to draw 4 tubes. The nurse then pushed 10cc of NS, followed by IVP of 12.5mg phenergan, immediately following the IVP phenergan my arm felt like it was on fire from my elbow to my fingers and my hand went numb. The nurse then pushed another 10cc of NS. About 10min later my arm started to swell and began to form a knot at the IV site, the pain was a 10/10 on a pain scale. It took them another 15 - 20min to come back to my room and remove the IV and place an Ice pack on my arm, the Dr. did not come back to look at my arm. I was discharged from the hospital. I went to my Personal Dr. the next day and he was very concerned about my arm. He informed me that I might have pain for the next 6 months from the damage of my tissue and vein. He also told me if I have anymore LRQ pain or complications with my arm to go back into the ER. I went back on 10-20-06 for increased LRQ abdominal pain and for my L arm. My arm was bruised from my armpit down my Thumb. Any movement with the arm caused extreme pain. The ER Dr. told me nothing to worry about it was just an infiltrated IV. I went back to work on 10-23-06 but could not perform my job functions because I could not loft anything with my L arm. I developed an infection in my elbow Monday night and went back to my Personal Dr. on 10-24-06 who prescribed me with tyenol-3 and cephalexin. He also told me that I had to be off work for at least 2 weeks, I am supposed to go back to work on 11-06-06. I still have pain in my arm of about a 4 - 6 when I move or lift anything with it. I have talked to a lawyer here that says he will not take my case because it is 1) against an HCA hospital and 2) will not make enough money. I am out around 2k at this point with lost wages and Dr. bills. What action can I take if any, and is there anything I can do alone.

Sound Familar?
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15950

[deadlock]

Sound Familar?

There are similarities in the two cases because of response to IV Pheneragn improperly administered. But, there is one big difference in their cases as potential malpractice claims.

[aaron]

It's not unusual for somebody with a similar problem to find a site like this through a search engine, then post about their own problem.

[deadlock]

Blue,

There is some recent information about administering Phenergan intravenously. The drug is caustic to the veins and may itself be the cause of the rupture of the wall of the vein (infiltatration). The manufacturer recommends IM administration but (likely given IV because the line is already in the vein giving you fluids) can be given IV when diluted. You need to follow up with your physician; take the pain medication and the antibiotic as ordered (all of it). The danger is a developing sepsis (blood infection) from the wound.

It's too early to make a decision about damage caused to the tissue (skin, fat and muscle as well). I am sure that your arm hurts worse than you thought possible!

Maybe there will be some type of action taken with the phamaceutical company??