Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical and legal repercussions of a case in which a health professional injected glycerol solution intravenously in an elderly patient with comorbidities. On that occasion, the Court requested a technical opinion from which an analysis was carried out in three phases: examination of the facts and repercussions; review of scientific literature; study of the outcome and conclusions. The error was caused by inadequate professional training and generated the following clinical repercussions: worsening renal function and a drop in hematocrit, but no occurrence of fat embolism was confirmed. Therefore, it is clear that the adequate training of health professionals is fundamental for health quality, since errors due to poor qualification and poor working conditions directly affect the clinical status of the patient, both from the legal and economic aspects as well as from the family aspect. In light of this, the actions of the Ministry of Education and professional councils become key to inhibit such situations.
Glycerol; Infusions, intravenous; Enema; Iatrogenic disease; Health personnel