The client was age 6 when he was diagnosed with Leukaemia. He attended hospital for chemotherapy and was scheduled to undergo IV intravenous administration of Vincristine, a chemotherapy drug, and a blood transfusion. Once the cannula was inserted, he complained of pain and the medication was stopped. The blood transfusion at the site was terminated and the cannula removed. He was sent home, but his condition deteriorated, and he had to return to hospital because he had a high temperature and a black mark where the cannula had been inserted. A Plastic Surgeon was consulted, who confirmed that extravasation had occurred, where the cannula is misplaced and the drugs inserted into the tissue rather than the bloodstream, which is highly toxic and can cause severe burns.
He was transferred to a children’s hospital for further treatment of the hand. Unfortunately, necrosis (death of the tissue) was noted, and he had to undergo surgery. He then had to have a further operation to remove the dead tissue from the back of his hand and three days later had a skin graft. Due to the severity of the injury, he had to undergo physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and splints to help him flex his hand.
Alsters Kelley obtained Legal Aid for the client to bring a claim for clinical negligence, alleging that the hospital staff were negligent in misplacing the cannula and for not noticing it was misplaced and continuing with the drug administration. Liability was admitted but settlement of the claim was delayed because the client required further surgery to try and improve the appearance and function of the hand.