Peoria Nursing Home Breathing Tube Injury Attorneys

What Are The Long-Term Effects of A Breathing Tube Injury?

There are a variety of reasons why nursing home residents may need to use breathing tubes. They may have conditions that affect their ability to breathe properly, and they may need assistance from a ventilator or other equipment to ensure that they receive enough oxygen. Patients who use breathing tubes should be closely monitored by nursing home staff, and any issues that may affect them should be addressed immediately. If the proper care is not provided, dangerous breathing tube injuries may occur. These injuries can be devastating for residents and their families, and they may occur due to negligence.

If a nursing home has been negligent in providing care to its residents, the consequences can range from minor discomfort to life-threatening nursing home injuries and complications. In situations where a person has suffered harm because of the negligence of a nursing home or its staff, their family members may be uncertain about how to proceed. At Nursing Home Injury Center, we provide guidance and assistance in these situations, working with families to uncover evidence of nursing home negligence and taking steps to protect the health and well-being of those who have been affected. We will work to hold a facility responsible for negligence and ensure that residents will be protected against harm in the future.

Common Types of Nursing Home Breathing Tube Injuries

Breathing tubes may be used for a variety of purposes in situations where nursing home residents need assistance. Some breathing tubes may deliver oxygen through a nasal cannula, while others may involve the use of a tracheostomy that will allow a tube to be inserted through a hole in the neck, and they may be used in conjunction with a ventilator that will continuously deliver oxygen to the lungs.

When inserting, cleaning, or maintaining breathing tubes and related devices, nursing home staff members should be sure to follow the correct procedures. They should also monitor patients for signs that equipment may not be working correctly or that a patient may not be receiving enough oxygen. In some cases, breathing tube injuries may occur because of understaffing at nursing homes that makes it difficult for staff members to properly monitor patients. In others, inadequate training on breathing tube procedures may cause patients to suffer harm.

Breathing tube injuries may occur because of issues such as:

• Dislodged or clogged breathing tubes – The flow of oxygen through a breathing tube may be blocked by food or other issues, or tubes may become pinched if they are not positioned correctly. Tubes that are not inserted properly may become dislodged or disconnected. When a person does not receive enough oxygen, this can result in injuries affecting multiple bodily systems, and irreversible brain damage may occur. In some cases, these issues may lead to asphyxiation and wrongful death.
• Damage to lungs, vocal cords, or other body parts – Improper insertion of a breathing tube may damage the vocal cords or other parts of the throat and trachea, affecting a person’s ability to speak. If equipment is not operated correctly, too much pressure may be used when delivering oxygen, potentially resulting in lung injuries. Improper calibration of equipment may result in too much oxygen being delivered, and a person’s lungs may be damaged due to oxygen toxicity.
• Infections – If the proper sanitation procedures are not followed, germs may enter a patient’s body through a breathing tube or the site where a tube is inserted. Pneumonia and similar respiratory infections are common among patients with breathing tubes, and other types of infections can also occur, potentially leading to issues such as sepsis that may threaten a person’s life.
• Pneumothorax – Air can leak into the chest cavity surrounding the lungs, putting pressure on the lungs and affecting a person’s ability to breathe properly. This issue may occur if a breathing tube is not inserted correctly.

Legal Help With Breathing Tube Injuries at Nursing Homes

When a nursing home’s staff does not follow the proper procedures for inserting and monitoring breathing tubes, residents can experience serious injuries, and their lives may be placed at risk. If you suspect that a loved one residing in a nursing home has been harmed by negligence, the team at Nursing Home Injury Center can help protect their rights and make sure they receive the proper care going forward. We are here to assist families who have been affected by improper care or neglect by nursing home staff members. Contact us today at 309-524-6900 for more information about how we can help you and to set up a free consultation.