When a patient is seriously ill, they may not be able to eat food. In such cases, feeding tubes may be needed to provide sustenance to the patient. If you or someone close to you has been injured due to a feeding tube error, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our skilled Rochester medical malpractice attorneys can meticulously analyze the facts of your case and help you determine your legal options.
Every day, medical instruments are used to help medical professionals in completing their jobs properly. Feeding tubes are used for patients who struggle with eating and suffer from conditions that limit their ability to chew, swallow, and digest food. Although the placement of feeding tubes is a relatively simply surgical procedure, as suggested by the Mayo Clinic, it should only be used for patients who have no other option when it comes to receiving nutrients. Patients in long-term facilities and nursing homes routinely use tube feeding as a way to feed patients. Many hospitalized patients in the United States also receive tube feeding. According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ latest figures, patients received tube feeding in approximately 245,000 hospital stays.
Feeding tube malpractice can occur in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
- Improper insertion or placement of a feeding tube;
- Improper sanitation of the feeding tube;
- Failure to properly clean the incision site regularly;
- Medical staff not being trained to handle the feeding tube; or
- Failure to monitor the tube for any changes.