Indiana Medical Malpractice Attorneys for Tracheostomy Tube Inuries
There are a variety of reasons that a person may need medical assistance in order to breathe. Some surgical procedures require ventilation assistance via a breathing tube. Therefore, the doctors will intubate a patient. This procedure involves the insertion of a tube down the patient’s trachea or windpipe that is connected to a ventilator. Another surgical procedure that can assist a person with breathing is a tracheostomy. This procedure involves the insertion of a tube directly into the neck and trachea to allow a free flow of air. This can be either a temporary or permanent placement.
A tracheostomy tube requires special care to ensure a clear airway and to prevent illness and infection. Failure to clear a tracheostomy tube can result in serious infections or death. Medical personnel who care for patients with tracheostomy tubes need to be properly trained to provide care. These patients may be admitted to intensive care units, general care hospital floors, or nursing home facilities. For this reason, it is important that healthcare facilities of all kinds have trained medical personnel on staff to care for vulnerable patients.
Summary of a claim involving failure to clear a tracheostomy tube
An 18-year-old mentally handicapped man was in the care of a nursing home for several months. The home repeatedly failed to monitor and clear the secretions from his tracheostomy tube. Ultimately, the patient passed away after the tube became clogged while he was sleeping resulting in complete respiratory failure.
Airway management malpractice lawsuits
If you or someone you know suffered a serious injury as a result of a medical professional’s negligence in maintaining a patient’s clear airway, contact us. Our medical malpractice attorneys have experience litigating a variety of negligence claims and can provide you with a free, no obligation case evaluation.