Family: Hospital's IV Error Threatens Baby's Arm

INDIANAPOLIS -- Hospital staff didn't immediately notice that a needle escaped a baby's vein, allowing intravenous solution to swell the arm and threaten the body part's viability, his family said.

The family of 2-month-old Anthony Correa (pictured) said it is upset with Riley Hospital for Children and fears the boy could lose his arm because of the incident early New Year's Day.

"They touch his arm, he cries. He's in pain," the boy's aunt, Norma Correa, told 6News' Ray Cortopassi on Tuesday.

The family said the boy was taken to Riley to repair a hernia. Before the surgery, a needle was put into his arm to give him a solution intravenously, the family said.

The needle went unchecked by staff for as long as four hours on Jan. 1, the hospital told the family. At some point during that time, the needle left a vein but remained in his arm, flooding the arm with solution, the family said.

Medical personnel addressed the swelling when it was noticed, and the hernia surgery was performed.

The hospital said its staff should have checked the needle sooner.

"Infiltration of an IV is a known and not unexpected complication of IV therapy, (but) unfortunately the (infiltration) on this patient was not assessed and treated as quickly as we would have expected," the hospital said in an e-mailed statement. "We disclosed to the family of our mistake once it was discovered, and we immediately accepted responsibility for this incident.

"We met with the family and have reached an amicable resolution to this situation. We will continue to work with the family, as we continue to provide excellent and compassionate care to the child."

The hospital said it will re-educate staff members regarding protocol for intravenous treatment.

The boy still was being treated at Riley on Tuesday.

Norma Correa said the hospital isn't providing the family enough information about the situation, and that the family is considering legal action.

"Hopefully he keeps his arm, but he could have died," Correa said.