Information on Intubation Errors
Your body requires oxygen. This means that medical professionals are required to take certain steps during a surgery to make sure that you receive an ample amount of oxygen, which often requires tracheal intubation. The process of tracheal intubation is a life saving technique that involves the placement of a plastic tube into the windpipe so that a person’s airway can be kept open and drugs can potentially be delivered. Unfortunately, complications can occur during tracheal intubation that can endanger a person’s life and even result in a person’s death. For those impacted by malpractice that occurs during tracheal intubation, it is often a wise idea to obtain the assistance of a seasoned medical malpractice like the legal counsel at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan.
Endotracheal Intubation
One of the most common types of intubation, endotracheal intubation, involves the placement of a plastic tube through a person’s mouth or nose and into their windpipe. The tube is then attached to a breathing machine that applies pressure ventilation. This process provides ventilation of the lungs through artificial means, which ensure that a patient has adequate oxygen to the brain.
Parties Responsible for Medical Malpractice
One of the most common types of malpractice associated with intubation is the failure to evaluate a person’s condition to make sure that intubation will not lead to complications. Failure to communicate among medical professionals is also a common reason why intubation can lead to injuries. When intubation results in injuries, the responsible party is often the anesthesiologist.
Negligent Intubation
Intubation is an intensive process that requires the medical professional who performs it to have a significant amount of experience. A large number of intubation failures constitute medical malpractice. Some of the most common errors involving intubation include failure to find landmarks, failure to properly assess the patient’s airway needs, lack of understanding about how to use a laryngoscope blade, lack of understanding of tracheal tube mechanics and delivery, placing a tube in the esophagus rather than a person’s airway, and unnecessary delays in the intubation process.
Injuries Caused by Intubation
While a person can survive for many days without food or water, a person requires oxygen to be frequently delivered throughout the body to survive. Without oxygen, a person can experience irreversible damage as well as death. Some of the most common injuries that result from improperly administered intubation include damage to the esophagus, damage to the lungs, damage to the trachea, hypoxia, injuries to the mouth, injuries to the teeth, and vocal paralysis.
Speak with an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice cases are frequently complex, particularly when intubation is involved. If you have been negatively impacted by medical malpractice due to intubation or any other procedure, it is a wise idea to promptly contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney who will remain committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today to make sure that you have the assistance you need to obtain the compensation you deserve.
