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Former patient sues Shoals hospital
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SHEFFIELD, AL (WAFF) - A former patient of one northwest Alabama hospital is suing the organization that was supposed to help her.
The lawsuit was filed against Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield. No dollar amount is specified in the suit, but the plaintiff claims that she has lingering side effects from her visit nearly two years ago.
Everyday chores haven't been routine for Barbara Rutherford since 2007. She has to maneuver around using her weaker arm.
"If I don't think to use my left hand...I'll accidentally hit some part (the injured arm) and it will immediately start hurting," she said as she shuffled through her kitchen.
Veteran nurse Rutherford said the pain still lingers after an incident began when an intravenous needle was injected into her hand at Helen Keller Hospital after she was admitted for complaints of chest pains.
"Apparently either she didn't get in the vein or this thing blew," Rutherford said. "When you see something that looks so horrible. Five big blisters came immediately filled with fluid," she said.
The lawsuit filed earlier this month claims: "As a result of improper placement of iv..or wrong size iv catheter, the nuclear dye infiltrated into the plaintiff's skin and muscles, spreading up to the plaintiff's elbow."
When WAFF 48 News contacted a spokeswoman for Helen Keller Hospital, she said federal law prevents her from commenting on any prior patients treated at the facility.
Rutherford's attorney, John Kennemer, said the problem could have been easily avoided.
"If this procedure had gone like it was supposed to, then she would not have been injured," he said. "Obviously there is a standard of care on how you insert the iv and you inject the medicine into her, and that standard of care was not met in this case."
Two years after Rutherford sought medical attention but she left with additional ailments, she has a handicapped arm and possibly permanent damage that's skin deep. Scars like spots on her arms are all painful reminders of learning new ways to live with the past.
The case is in its preliminary stages. Kennemer has requested a jury trial for the lawsuit.
Additional information:
Helen Keller Hospital Jobs & Careers , SimplyHired
Helen Keller Hospital , Sheffield , MyTravelGuide.com
Helen Keller Hospital Business Contacts in Jigsaw's Business Directory
HealthCare Volunteer - Volunteering Description: Helen Keller Hospital
Helen Keller Hospital : Wellness Run
Keller Hospital
Helen Keller on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Helen Keller Hospital , Day Patient Pre-Admit Testing in Sheffield
Helen Keller Hospital Rehabilitation Services drug rehab, drug
Helen Keller Hospital : Employment Center.
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