"I was admitted to the hospital in July 2007—my back injury was so bad that I had to get an ambulance, even though I live just one block away," says Andie. "At ER I was given painkillers and they admitted me that Sunday evening. The next day a nurse gave me a shot of heparin— she said it was a blood thinner and I had to have it. At the time, I was preoccupied with my job, so I just said whatever. I drive a school bus and had to get back to work the next day, but I was flat on my back."I was given a heparin shot in my abdomen twice a day until I left on Wednesday afternoon. Later I called the hospital administration and asked if the heparin was indeed mandatory, as the nurse had told me. The administrator said it wasn't and the nurse was wrong. So I got two different explanations—shouldn't the nurse know that?"
Patients usually take the blood thinner is before surgery, but Andie wasn't going to have surgery. It is possible that she was given the heparin injections to prevent deep vein thrombosis. "I think the idea was that if you are lying prone in bed for days, you might be susceptible to blood clots," says Andie. "But if I am going to take that risk, it is my concern."
Andie believes she has reason for concern. "I came down with chronic fatigue in 1994, and prior to that, I had a vaccination for hepatitis B," she explains. "I read later that there is a connection between the vaccine and chronic fatigue. It might be that the mercury in these vaccines is causing issues, so I try to avoid getting any kind of drug since that time. I have a problem getting injected with unnecessary medications, and I read the book 'Murder by Injection,' so heparin injections worry me. And I won't be getting a flu shot—it is my choice.
"I don't know whether I can sue the hospital if there is no damage that I can prove. I am in the process of getting my medical records and I'll find out how much heparin I was given. I think you ought to be able to refuse it.
"From what I read, heparin has even been given to newborns in hospital. And the dosages are a problem—they just give it to anyone who checks in."
READ MORE HEPARIN LEGAL NEWS
The advantages of heparin are its low cost and fast action (it anti-coagulates blood quickly). But there are many disadvantages. Frequent blood tests are required to check the levels of anticoagulation and hospitalization to get an IV drug.
Heparin side effects are numerous, from skin rash and headache to bleeding and Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), which causes worse clotting and can lead to stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis, and death.
Patients like Andie have the right to know of these side effects.
READER COMMENTS
Andie S.
on
"In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a large-scale recall of heparin after discovering contaminated raw batches of the drug that had been manufactured in China by Scientific Protein Laboratories, a US firm. Heparin is injected into many people to prevent blood clots and is derived from slaughtered animal tissues such as pigs’ intestines and cows’ lungs.
The recall followed an alleged 81 deaths and 785 other reports of severe injuries linked to the drug. Investigations identified the contaminant as an over-sulfated derivative of chondroitin sulfate, which can be used as a dietary supplement, but not as a medicine. Worst of all, several compelling reasons led authorities to believe that the contamination was deliberate, including the fact that it imitates the effect of heparin yet is a fraction of the price.
The motive for the contamination is thought to have been a combination of cost cutting and a lack of the right kinds of pigs in China. By early 2012, the FDA had added 22 Chinese heparin ingredient suppliers to an import alert list. Worryingly, the FDA also stated that it does not have enough money and that it is not up to them to inspect such overseas manufacturers on a regular basis." https://www.topmastersinpublichealth.com/10-biggest-medical-scandals-in-history/
I was in the hospital in 2008, when this recall occurred.
A hospital worker entering a patient's room in the middle of the night, and injecting them with something they didn't agree to is a violation of basic human rights and autonomy. I hope this 'nurse' finally gets it someday.
tiamat
on
Heparin injections do decrease the risk of blood clots, which are potentially fatal. They are no related to hepatitis B shots, except that they are both injections. Hospitals can be sued if you get a blood clot, so they were trying Andie and themselves. While some people have bad reactions (just like every other medication) the majority tolerate them just fine. They do improve the average outcome and length of hospital stay. Some hospitals have started to only give them for at-risk populations, like obese patients, the elderly, and those on bed rest. Andie could barely walk, which increases the risk of blood clots.
Also, almost nothing in a hospital is mandatory. You can reject anything and walk out whenever you want (and are physically able). If you have questions about medications, ask the nurse if you can speak to a pharmacist (preferably) or a doctor. My state has a patient's bill of rights, which includes requesting or refusing treatments. My hospital takes it further with being guaranteed the ability to know side effects, discuss your medication with a pharmacist, and making an informed decision if you choose to.
The things that are mandatory, by the way, are things no logical person would take issue with and mostly revolve (at my hospital, at least) around respecting your fellow patients and staff. Oh, and don't take any outside medications. When you're hospitalized, your nurse will give you all routine medications. This prevents double dosing, which can be a major problem. While this might not be an issue for *you*, it is an issue and the best solution is for the staff to handle the patient's medication.
"And some professionals believe that heparin is based on "trial and error."
The entirety of modern medicine is. Every medication, every procedure, all of it. Researchers test new drugs on animals, then humans. If at any point major issues come up, it's back to the drawing board. If everything seems good, they can then apppy for FDA approval, and the entire process takes many years.
"hospitalization to get an IV drug."
This is completely untrue, you can get IV medications in urgent care, the ER, at a routine appointment, or in an ambulance (those guys are amazing at giving IVs going 80 miles an hour on the freeway). You can even get them at home in certain situations (like hospice). If by "hospitalization" you mean "be anywhere a nurse, doctor, or a properly certified EMT is with the appropriate kit" then yes, you must be "hospitalized". Sports teams can even have IVs while they're on the sidelines, and I know at least one band does the same.
Linda Lynch
on