How to survive medial lawsuit for central venous line insertion

 “ doctor- save the patient, but save yourself also”.

Consent must before invasive procedures: consumer panel  

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has said that doctors must take consent of a patient or his family members for any invasive procedure during treatment. (11.5.2017 Times of India link below).

I really feel sad for the doctors, who sometimes due to overwork or zeal to do things  find themselves in a soup, because of lack of paperwork.  But they are learning the lessons the hard way. Law and media call them a mistake but I think the errors in documentation are due to lack of proper training and poor understanding of legal requirements of profession in consumer’s era. The ignorance is about necessity to save thou self, when we try to save the patient. These documentation have become all the more necessary in current scenario because of the non-acceptability of even common complications. If a complication occurs during treatment, prolonged retrospective analysis goes on at leisure by lawyers with an intention to find fault. They are driven by money as an incentive, and with the wisdom gained on the hindsight, they may find some fault almost always in some way. Thus, doctors are at great disadvantage on this issue. choosing medical career a disadvantage to doctors.

It is high time for doctors to learn how to save themselves. It is important to have a thorough documentation. I am mentioning certain aspects which should be taken care of, while putting a central line .

1. As already in news “consent” is very important. Take care to write patient identity, age sex and all other relevant columns. Explain and write all benefits and possible complications of procedure. Get signature of patient, relative and a witness. Put doctor’s signature with date and time.

2. Always try to use ultrasound to help you to locate lines. Patient can be obese, having short neck and it may be difficult anatomy. Ultrasound will help you in differentiation of artery and vein and avoid arterial puncture as in above case.

3. Be sure before dilatation that you are in vein. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between artery and vein. Do everything to prove that you are in vein before dilatation.

4. Take suitable precautions for to prevent sepsis, air embolism

5. If it is not emergency always check coagulation profile.

6. Make sure doctor who is doing the procedure is well trained for it.
7. Upgrade quality assurance program by keeping record of adverse events during procedures.

These are simple steps, although documentation is cumbersome. But it is worth because it can help the doctor from future litigation, harassment and so many problems. This is need of the hour. Bottom line is “save the patient, but save yourself also”.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/consent-must-before-invasive-procedures-consumer-panel/articles how/58618137.cms