|
|
Article: Drug error that harmed Quaid twins shows need for better safety measures
- Article from:
- Drug Topics
- Article date:
- January 28, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Advanstar Communications, Inc. Jan 28, 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
Shortly after their birth, the newborn twins of actor Dennis Quaid were hospitalized at CedarsSinai Medical Center in Los Angeles with staph infections. While they were being treated for the infections, the twins were among three patients who were given 1,000 times the normal concentration of heparin. Such a high dose can cause severe bleeding and death if left untreated.
Michael L. Langberg, chief medical officer for Cedars-Sinai, said the Nov. 18 overdose was the "result of a preventable error." Quaid's twins and one other patient had their IV catheters flushed with heparin from vials containing a concentration of 10,000 units per milliliter instead of similar vials that had a ...