When a resident of a nursing home is unable to swallow or eat on their own because they have a condition preventing them to do so, in order for the resident to receive proper nutrients, they might be placed with a feeding tube, known as a PEG tube. While these tubes are made to benefit the resident who cannot eat by themselves, there has been a lot of incidents and injuries deriving from its use. These tubes are placed directly into the stomach of the individual while passing through the abdominal wall which will supply the resident with the nutrients and medication they may need. Nursing home facilities want to limit the amount of malnutrition and dehydration cases that occur, yet while using this device, they may be causing the resident more harm than good. Skill and meticulous care must be used when applying a feeding tube in an individual. Lack those assets can result in a domino effect of complications to come.
If the PEG tube of the resident caused them complications because the nursing home staff member was negligent while installing it or keeping it clean, the resident might be entitled to file a lawsuit for negligence against the facility. Speaking with an attorney that can combat and take on nursing home facilities that were negligent can be achieved with the assistance of an Orlando lawyer for PED tube negligence. It is a tragedy that a resident that requires so much assistance is being provided sub-standard care by the nursing home’s staff members.
What Complications Can Come From Negligent PEG Tube Practice?
Because a feeding tube might be the device that is keeping a patient alive, it must be used accordingly. The health care provider using the PEG tube must have the education, skill, and training of how to properly use it and take care of what follows. These are just a few complications that can be experienced by a resident who has a negligent provider placing the feeding tube:
- Severe bleeding
- Blockage
- Infections
- Undernourishment
- Extreme discomfort
- Pneumonia
- Death; and
- More
Because so many complications can come from a negligent PEG tube professional, it is important to address all the issues that might be present with feeding tubes. These following negligences should be watched out for:
- Lack of knowledge about feeding tubes
- Lack of training to handle feeding tube patients
- Inappropriate monitoring of the tube site
- Lack of proper hygiene of the tube
- Incorrect administration of feedings
Nursing Home Residents PEG Tube Figures
- Feeding tubes are used in about 18 to 34% of nursing home residents around the nation
- A feeding tube is used at a ratio of 54:1000
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Tubes
Question: How Can I tell that the tube is not being properly sanitized?
Answer: A great indication that the tube is not being properly kept clean is when the tube changes in color. It should remain the same color like the day it was placed, but there are some foods and medications that can cause the tube to change color. Investigating why the color changed is a great way to prevent infections and other complications from taking place.
PEG Tube Negligence in Elders Across Nursing Homes
A feeding tube might be the life source of a resident. When a PEG tube is not sanitized as it should be or monitored appropriately, the resident might acquire medical conditions and experience a lot of complications because of that negligence. If this does happen, an Orlando feeding Tube negligence attorney from Percy Martinez Law Firm will work endless hours to investigate every aspect of the case and hire professionals to prove that the claim has validity.