title: Physician liability for procedure related injury: Focused on central venous catheterization.
abstract: Central venous catheterization (CVC) is one of essential procedures in critical care medicine. CVC is relatively safe when performed by experienced physicians. Complications may occur due to various risk factors. Although the incidence of CVC-related complications is not high, a serious risk may ensue in cases of such complications. Procedure related complications could lead to civil and criminal lawsuits. This study reviewed the occurrence patterns and rulings of the courts related to CVC in South Korea and tried to find pitfalls that medical professionals should keep in mind before, during and after medical procedures. Various patterns of CVC-related lawsuits have been raised. During the procedure, physicians should perform their duty considering risk factors such as patients' underlying diseases and age. In addition, before the procedure, physicians must obtain written consent for CVC from patients or their legal guardians including explanation of rare complications that could be lethal. After the completion of CVC, surveillance of anticipated complications including chest radiographs should be conducted for the immediate management of any possible complications.
authors.affiliation: College of Law, Dankook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seok-Bae
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Law, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyun-dong, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 120-750, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sincerebae@ewha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hyuna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057785:Catheters; D003675:Defensive Medicine; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D056910:Republic of Korea
keywords: CVC(central venous catheterization); Liability; Malpractice lawsuit; Procedure related injury