Vascular access in court

July 15, 2008

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Four condemned prisoners are attempting to stop executions in Mississippi. They say the state’s method of lethal injection is unconstitutional because it might cause pain.

The inmates have issues with numerous parts of the process. One particular issue that they highlight is that they believe the insertion of the intravenous needle could also be a painful because the execution staff in Mississippi are not properly trained.

State officials dismiss the allegations, saying in court papers that the staff “is a highly trained team of paramedics” and that a state pathologist is on hand.

Click here for the full story.

Update: Cutdowns are not to be used in executions. An autopsy conducted on on an executed inmate found 10 puncture marks where the execution team tried inserting IV lines. The report also shows executioners likely used a cut-down procedure on part of the skin from his right arm to find a vein for the IV line. Click here for the full story.

14th August 2008 – Interesting update looking deeper into the role of the healthcare staff inserting vascular access devices and administering medication.