What is the standard of care for PA's inserting central venous catheter? In my mom's case, the central line was inserted into an artery from the heart and it bled throughout the night (surgically placed at 4 pm, but not checked by a Dr until 10 am next morning). Can anyone tell me if the hospital would be negligent or at fault for not having a Dr. check the surgical procedure? If mom bled throughout the night and had to have 9 units of blood/ffp transfused the next day, would that be considered as bleeding to death? She passed away a week after the incident. She never regained strength or awoke after the incident. Where would I find the standard of care for central venous catheter insertion?
2007-12-11 15:10:07 · 6 answers · asked by Bonnie A 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
PA's can do many things except perhaps surgery. Everything is done under a physicians direction and supervision, even if the latter is not present. Dying a week after the incident is not bleeding to death. You don't say why the catheter was inserted, so I suspect she was already in trouble and they did the best they could for her. Personally, I don't think you have grounds for a lawsuit, and anyway is it going to bring her back?
2007-12-11 15:15:08 · answer #1 · answered by wendy.bryan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they had to give her 9 pints of blood, I am surprised she lived that long. Even long enough to get the blood.I would go to the library and find out EVERYTHING about this.Even if a P.A. is allowed by law to do this(I have no idea) she was careless and negligent. I would think that this helped her death along. I'm sure she would have died anyway because if it was not her time (I believe) she would not have died then. Because of this though, I would think it weakened her to where she died earlier then she would have otherwise.Don't know what was wrong with her (of course) but would she have suffered more if she had lived longer? God has funny ways of working. Maybe he knew this and took her so she would not have to suffer anymore.
2007-12-11 15:22:34 · answer #2 · answered by Ava 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RN's are allowed to place that line, and PA's have more training than RN's, but it certainly sounds like there is some negligence since nobody caught onto the fact that your mother was bleeding all night. I would definitely have an attorney look into this case.
2007-12-13 07:56:35 · answer #3 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My condolences for your loss. What a terrible time you must be going through, particularly at this time of year.
I'm not an expert on this sort of question, but I would think that it would be wise for you to consult with an attorney that specializes in medical cases and get their opinion. This SOUNDS like a procedure that should have been done by someone other than a PA.
Again my condolences go out to you and your family.
2007-12-11 15:18:02 · answer #4 · answered by Winger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very serious question ( I am sorry about your mom). Any procedure done by an assistant should be overseen. The Hospital is responsible, if not negligent.
2007-12-11 15:15:15 · answer #5 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, according to NHS reviews patients are suffering because nurses are having to do jobs that they are nowhere near qualified to do.
2007-12-11 15:12:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋