We are so sorry that your mother died this way. When a clogged breathing tube results in death or an injury, it could be because of nursing home negligence.
A properly operating breathing tube opens a person’s airways and allows a person to receive more oxygen than the person would without the breathing tube. However, when the breathing tube becomes clogged, the results can be catastrophic.
How Breathing Tubes Get Clogged
Food, saliva, or phlegm can get stuck in the breathing tube. If nursing home staff quickly identifies the problem and clears the tube, an injury may not occur. However, nursing home workers don’t always recognize and fix the problem promptly. In some cases, a delay may occur because:
Nursing Home Workers Are Not Trained
Nursing homes have a duty to make sure that their employees have reasonable training so that the workers know how often to check on residents with breathing tubes, how to identify clogged breathing tubes, and what to do about them.
The Nursing Home Is Understaffed
Nursing home workers may know what to do if a resident’s breathing tube is clogged, but if the nursing home is understaffed, they may not have enough time to check on patients frequently enough or carefully enough to recognize a problem before the damage is irreversible.
Nursing Home Workers Are Distracted Or Otherwise Negligent
Even if a nursing home is adequately staffed with properly trained workers, those employees need to do their jobs. If workers are distracted or ignore their duties, residents may not get the help they need when they need it.
Sometimes, however, the clog may occur because of a manufacturing defect or another reason rather than nursing home negligence.
Has Your Loved One Been Injured In A Nursing Home?
If you believe your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse you need to speak with an experienced Kentucky nursing home neglect attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at 888.450.4456 to schedule a free consultation.
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