Catherine Henry Lawyers’ health law team has settled a claim against a doctor for a client who suffered permanent ink staining to an arm after negligently given an infusion of Ferinject at a local medical centre.
What is Ferinject?
Ferinject[1] is medicine administered intravenously for the treatment of iron deficiency when iron by oral means is otherwise incompatible.
Incorrect iron infusion caused permanent arm staining
Our client had a history of suffering from low iron levels. After feeling tired and run down our client consulted a doctor.
After blood tests showed low iron levels, the doctor recommended an intravenous infusion of ferritin and prescribed Ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject).
Our client was never informed of the risks associated with intravenous ferritin infusion which includes amongst other things, tissue discolouration, and permanent staining of the skin.
Our client was administered Ferinject at the rate of 250mgms per minute over 2 minutes and the recommended rate of infusion is 100mgms per minute over 5 minutes.
Our client complained of discomfort and pain during the injection and of feeling a cold sensation. Despite the complaints, the medical expert administering the injection did not draw back on the needle to ensure that it was correctly sited in the vein, and after one minute, our client made a further complaint of a burning sensation, extreme discomfort, and excessive pain. The medical expert informed our client the procedure was almost over. On removal of the cannula, there was a significant bruise and discolouration of our client’s arm at the site of the needle insertion which is indicative that some of the Ferinject had entered the tissues.
It was recommended ice be applied to the area of discoloration however, a pressure bandage was not applied as is recommended practice by the distributor of Ferinject.
Consequently, our client experienced pain at the site of the needle insertion and permanent staining of the forearm and upper arm.
Our case for justice and compensation
We used the expert opinion of a general practitioner (GP) to argue that failing to warn our client of the risks associated with the procedure is a departure from the expected standard of care, and that the medical expert administering the Ferinject should have drawn back the needle to determine if blood came out freely to confirm the needle was in the vein.
In addition, the medical expert should have noted our client’s pain as an immediate indication to withdraw the cannula to prevent leakage of the Ferinject solution into the surrounding tissues. Our expert GP was also critical of the infusion rate.
The staining to our client’s arm was significant and caused distress and embarrassment to her.
We obtained damages for our client for the failure of the duty of care, pain suffered, and ongoing consequences especially in respect of the permanent staining.
Know the risks of iron infusions
We urge people to be aware of the risks of iron infusions. If you seek to have this treatment, ensure those carrying it out have done so on many occasions. If you experience pain during an infusion, ask the health professional to stop and apply pressure. Make sure a pressure bandage is applied at the end of the infusion.
If you or a loved one has experienced negative impacts from iron infusions, please get in touch with one of our caring, expert lawyers about the options available to you. Health care providers who prescribe and administer iron infusions should be aware of the associated risks – read more about Ferinject here.
At Catherine Henry Lawyers, we can help provide you with the support and expertise you need.
Taking legal action can also help change health care practices and hold health care professionals to account so other people do not to have experience what you went through.
[1] Health Direct – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/brand/amt,48071000036102/ferinject
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