Yourlawyer.com (Vincristine News) http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Vincristine Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:45:38 -0800 pixel-app en Cancer Drug Can Kill or Paralyze When Improperly Administered http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/10251 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/read/10251
The confusion is explained in part by the fact that the spinal catheter method is used for other drugs given to leukemia and lymphoma patients. An injection of vincristine directly into the spine, however, kills nerve cells and in 90% of cases reported since 1968 it also kills the patient.

In an effort to protect cancer patients, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) sent a warning to over 4,500 hospitals and threatened to withdraw accreditation from institutions that did not adopt its guidelines for the prevention of this extremely dangerous but preventable error.

The JCAHO has recommended both the labeling of vincristine syringes with warnings that spinal injections are fatal and prohibiting the drug from being administered in the same rooms as drugs that are injected into the spine.

These findings also raise the concern that such deadly errors are actually being underreported for fear of provoking lawsuits and other sanctions. Only one case, which resulted in permanent paralysis, was reported to JCAHO.
]]> Vincristine Death Oncovin Paralysis Side Effects Lawsuit http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Vincristine Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Vincristine DOWNLOAD OUR Vincristine INFORMATION PACKAGE

Injured by Vincristine?

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) issued a warning about the use of Vincristine (Generic: Oncovin), a potent cancer drug. Vincristine is supposed to be injected into a vein but is sometimes accidentally added to spinal catheters used for different drugs in leukemia and lymphoma patients. Administering Vincristine into the spine kills nerve cells, causing paralysis, and is usually fatal. Vincristine is sold in the United States under the names Oncovin and Vincasar.

JCAHO's warning was sent to more than 4,500 hospitals. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has received voluntary information from doctors about six U.S. cases in 30 years. However it is widely believed that more cases have existed but have gone unreported. The most recent known case involves the 2002 death of a 49-year-old New Jersey man while undergoing treatment for lymphoma.  The JCAHO has advised hospitals to make sure Vincristine syringes are properly labeled with warnings that spinal injections are fatal, and that the drug is for intravenous use only. The alert also says that Vincristine also should be given to patients at different times and in different rooms than drugs administered through the spine.

If you or a loved suffered from the administration of Vincristine, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified drug side effects attorney.]]>