Clogged Breathing Tubes at a Nuring Home

When you make the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home, you assume they will receive better care than you were able to provide at home. This care often involves the use of special equipment for breathing difficulties due to COPD, pneumonia, asthma or short-term issues that may arise.

Endotracheal, or breathing tubes, are used to open a patient’s airways and are then hooked up to a ventilator to provide a continuous supply of oxygen.

When a patient requires a long-term solution to breathing difficulties, doctors will often perform a tracheostomy, where a surgical opening is placed in the windpipe and a breathing tube is then placed.

Causes of Clogged Breathing Tubes

There are a number of reasons a breathing tube can become clogged. Commonly, saliva and mucous build up in a breathing tube and food can also enter at either end of the tube. Breathing tubes are to be siphoned periodically and tubes may need to be reinserted if they are displaced.

Under normal care, staff would be aware of any issues and would resolve them quickly. However, when a nursing home resident is neglected or staff is ill-trained and overworked, obstructions can occur and can be deadly.

Breathing tube clogs can cause oxygen deprivation which can cause other major issues including cardiac arrest, permanent brain damage, organ failure, and death.

Other Complications Due to Breathing Tubes

Aside from clogged breathing tubes, other complications can arise from their use due to improper insertion, improper monitoring, and complications when a resident removes their own tube.

In addition to clogging, breathing tubes can cause other complications including:

• Vocal cord injuries;
• Perforated airway;
• Nasal trauma;
• Trauma to the mouth;
• Spinal cord trauma;
• Hypertension or arrhythmia.

Patients that require breathing tubes cannot verbally alert staff of any discomfort or pain and rely almost totally on nursing home staff for their complete care. Because your loved one relies totally on the support of others during this time, it is important that you are aware of their condition when they cannot speak for themselves. If you suspect that your loved one suffered an injury due to a clogged breathing tube while under the care of a nursing home, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.

If you believe a loved one has been abused or neglected at a long-term care facility, contact 844 See Mike, for a free consultation. We are a Chicago injury law firm representing individuals and families who have suffered an injury or loss due to an accident. 844 See Mike, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire us–just the opportunity to seek justice.