According to an online report recently published in Pediatrics, hundreds of children’s lives and millions of dollars were saved by a few simple steps in central-line catheters handling.
A central-line catheter can become a likely sport for infection and bacteria contamination that heads straight for a patient’s bloodstream. If they are inserted incorrectly, dire consequences can arise.
The catheter is usually inserted to a mjor blood vessel in the groin, chest or neck. A routine check of the catheter is ideal. Catheters should be removed when no longer needed, and the dressing around them should be changed frequently. The line should be cleaned before and after each use, and those handling it should wash their hands. According to the study, hospitals which implemented these measure saw a cut in infections of over half in three years.
About 30,000 people die each year from central-line infections. Total, about 250,000 people are infected, with each infection costing about $45,000.
As a Los Angeles wrongful death attorney, I hope that more hospitals will adhere to these simple rules. If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured while receiving medical care, it’s in your best interest to contact a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer as soon as you can.