Unrecognized Esophageal Intubation

The incidence of esophageal intubation in out-of-hospital intubations has increased in recent years, and this practice has been linked to high mortality. 

When an endotracheal tube is placed incorrectly, esophageal intubation can result. This can occur during critical illness or anesthesia. There are several ways for health care providers to identify unrecognized esophageal intubation, including capnography and esophageal perforation monitoring. In some cases, the placement of the endotracheal tube is incorrect or not in line with the patient’s anatomy. This can lead to anoxia. When the brain is deprived of oxygen for four minutes, the cells begin to die.

In many cases, the intubation process is not correctly recognized, resulting in death. Nonparamedic EMS personnel may place an artificial airway in the esophagus without the necessary training or experience to perform esophageal intubation safely. This practice has been known to occur in the United States, but it is uncommon in other parts of the world.

Although esophageal intubation is a rare complication, it is still a potentially fatal emergency in many patients. The best way to ensure proper intubation is to examine the patient immediately after the procedure. A right posterior oblique chest radiograph can detect esophageal intubation, which is also known as esophageal intubation.

The failure of the tracheal intubation should be investigated by an attorney. If there are any symptoms that indicate unrecognized esophageal intubation, the lawyer should investigate the case to see if it is a viable medical malpractice case. 

Contact the expert personal injury attorneys at Breit Biniazan for professional legal representation.