Ultrasound Reduces Complications in Central Line Placement
28March2013
Every year, thousands of children suffer complications from a fairly common procedure involving the insertion of a central venous catheter into the body. The Seattle medical malpractice lawyers at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC have learned that there is a higher risk of complications when the catheter is placed improperly, including a lung puncture, a carotid artery puncture, and even a stroke.
A central venous catheter is a type of intravenous line that gives direct access to the largest vein in the body. The more attempts that a health care provider makes to insert the line, the greater the risk of complications. Typically, if the needle is inserted in the first attempt, or at least within the first three attempts, the risk of complications is low.
New research finds that the use of ultrasound can reduce the risk of such complications.
Until now, doctors typically relied on their knowledge of the human body during the insertion of the line. But a recent study has found that watching the progress of the needle using ultrasound imaging technology is much more effective, efficient and safer than using anatomical knowledge to guide insertion.
The results of the study were published recently in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. In the study, which was conducted by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucille Children’s Hospital, the researchers found that when pediatric surgeons used ultrasound imaging technology to guide the needle into the vein, they got it right 65 percent of the time at the very first shot. They were able to get the insertion right within the first three tries about 95 percent of the time.
However, when they used their anatomical knowledge and body landmarks to guide insertion, doctors were able to insert the line properly only about 45 percent of the time during the first attempt and just 74 percent of the time during the first three attempts.
The Seattle medical malpractice lawyers at Morrow Kidman Tinker Macey-Cushman, PLLC represent victims of medical negligence by doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical personnel across Seattle.
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