Intubation is an important procedure that saves countless lives by providing an airway for patients to breathe. If you or someone close to you suffered an injury due to an intubation error, you need to reach out to a skilled Syracuse medical malpractice attorney who can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committing to getting patients the compensation they need to deal with their injuries.
Intubation involves inserting a long tube down the patient’s trachea (airway) that is connected to a ventilator. The ventilator acts as the “lungs” for the patient during many surgical or other medical procedures. While the procedure is relatively common, it is also fraught with potential complications. One study found that errors take place in 22 percent of intubation attempts, with a frequency of up to 40 percent in selected ambulance systems. These findings indicate frequent mistakes associated with this life-saving technique. Intubation errors can occur in a number of ways, including but not limited to:
- Improper placement of the tube into the esophagus;
- Incorrect evaluation of the patient’s airways’ needs;
- Perforation of tissue with the tubing;
- Failure to act in time;
- Damage caused by excessive force during intubation; or
- The tube becoming disconnected or dislodged.
Many times, untrained or insufficiently trained medical professionals cause the errors. If medical staff fails to intubate or improperly intubates a patient in need, the patient’s oxygen levels will often become inadequate. The patient then suffers from oxygen deprivation, leading to mild-to-severe brain injuries, permanent disability, and even death. Improper intubation can also result in a flow of air to the stomach rather than the lungs, which is almost always a fatal error.
Most medical professionals receive the necessary training to follow intubation protocols properly. Sadly, preventable mistakes take place when the medical staff fails to follow their training on how to manage an airway safely while the patient is being intubated. If you or a loved one was harmed due to an intubation error, you may be able to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim. Whether a paramedic, a doctor, or any other medical professional caused the injury, we can help.
Medical malpractice cases arise when any type of medical professional fails to conduct proper health care procedures or treatments. Malpractice occurs when a medical professional causes injuries or death by failing to use the level of care that a medical professional in the same specialty would have used in the same situation. New York requires that the patient present a medical expert to discuss the appropriate standard of care and show how the defendant deviated from those guidelines.
Intubation errors can cause serious harm to patients. If you have suffered an injury due to an intubation error caused by a medical professional’s negligence, we may be able to help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers are dedicated to holding at-fault parties accountable for their actions. We have represented a variety of clients in intubation complication cases. For a free case evaluation, do not hesitate to call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.
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