Medical Malpractice due to improper infusion of Potassium (KCl)?

About a month ago, I was rushed into the ER due to kidney stones, during my stay in ER, the initial blood tests showed I was low on potassium, so this male nurse disconnected my saline and connected the highly concentrated potassium solution directly into the catheter -- this procedure caused me to throw up and faint and undue pain for several hours, because of the nature of the potassium solution.

Now, the normal medical procedure for an infusion of highly concentrated potassium solution (KCl) is to connect it first to the saline (NaCl) in order for it to be diluted and to have my potassium serum levels checked -- none of which happened after the nurse disconnected my saline for the potassium.

I know hospitals are for the most part understaffed but this one wasn't and considering the nature of emergency that landed me in ER, the last thing I needed was extra pain caused by a reckless nurse.

First off, anyone can sue anyone for anything. With that said, either the nurse or pharmacy mixed the IVPB (intravenous piggyback) and it shouldn't have more than 20 meq in a 100 ml bag of saline and shouldn't be infused in any faster than over one to two hours depending on hospital policy. At which time they should re-check your K+ level again and if it remains below normal, repeat. In addition, any good nurese or doctor should know to add about 20 to 30 milgrams lidocaine to the mixture to numb your vein so it doesn't hurt. As for nausea, vomiting and fainting, it makes me wonder if they didn't infuse it too fast. If your not aware, K+ is one of the drugs given death row inmates during lethal injection. When given rapidly (Called a bolus), the medication travels to the heart in a concentrated volume of blood and when it reaches the heart, it causes the heart to go into V-fib, followed by asystole (cardiac standstill) resulting in death. After you woke up after fainting, was your chest, ri or sternum sore? If so, you may have arrested and they coded you. Generally speaking, for a medical lawsuit to work, you have to have been harmed. If they treat you, give you drugs or do a procedure and it doesn't cause harm, it's difficult to sue. Of course there is always a grey area and without knowing the full details, I can't really advice you any further than I have. Glad they didn't kill you. I tell all my family, friends and patients, that if anyone has to go to the hospital, they should always have someone with them to watch over them and ask questions. Your situation makes my point. You have whats called a "Patient Bill of Rights". I suggest you download a copy if you don't have one. Read it and use those rights to protect yourself in the furture.

You can go search the web for medical malpractice attorneys. I am not one, but the key usually is.... did something horrible happen as an outcome. If you are okay your outcome may not be strong enough to bring a full blown case, but it may warrant the nurse to get looked at heavily at the hospital, and for other nurses to get retrained in the methods of infusion. Also you can make a complaint to the medical liscensing board of the state that you live in.

I don't think you would have a claim because you don't indicate that you suffered any permanent damage. You can consult a malpractice attorney. The first visit is usually free.

OH YEAH -- you hit the jackpot....

Sue sue sue

Get over it. A little pain, but you are alive. We do not need more lawsuits clogging up the system and increasing the cost of healthcare for everyone else.

Many meds are given directly in the tube which is when they want immediate effects. Potassium is an electrolyte which is mandatory for Ph and your heart to work correctly.

If not needing the potassium in large amounts, that can be dangerous as well. I think you need to review the reason why it was given that way, and if that is the way the order was written! The nurse usually responds to a written order! They don't pick and choose how it is going to be administered! Additionally, it is the nurses responsibility to bring to the attention of a physician those orders which are not commonly practiced!

There are no male nurses. There are nurses who are male!

Medical Malpractice,You only have a very short time to file too.Convenient