Korean J Crit Care Med.  2006 Jun;21(1):42-50.

Medicolegal Aspects on Central Venous Catheterization Related Injury

• Bae H
• Kim S
• Lee S
• Chung RK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We describe the characteristics of malpractice claims related to central venous catheterization and identify causes and potential preventability of such claims.
METHODS
A retrospective study was performed by reviewing records at Lawnb and Lx CD-rom. The records on closed malpractice claim related to central venous catheterization were abstracted from the files available for analysis. The records were reviewed and were analysed to determine the factors associated with a successful defense.
RESULTS
Twelve closed claim cases, related to central venous cathetertization were reviewed in the data for malpractice. Catheter-related complications were pneumothorax, hemothorax, cardiac tamponade, pyothorax, hematoma due to arterial puncture, pseudoaneurysm. Almost cases resulted in indemnity payment and verdict for patient.
CONCLUSIONS
Although malpractice claims related to central venous catheterization were uncommon, they resulted in high rate and amount of indemnity payments. In pediatric patient, catheterization should be performed with attention. Clinicians should consider the underlying disease of patients and do any pretreatment if needed. Post-procedural radiologic confirmation can improve patient outcome and is also associated with decreased indemnity risk. Informed consent is also important.

Keyword

Central venous catheterization; Complication; Lawsuit; Medicolegal

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm, False
Cardiac Tamponade
Catheterization
Catheterization, Central Venous*
Catheters
CD-ROM
Central Venous Catheters*
Empyema, Pleural
Hematoma
Hemothorax
Humans
Informed Consent
Malpractice
Pneumothorax
Punctures
Retrospective Studies