This is my first blog titled, “ANESTHESIA MALPRACTICE ~ The Deviation in the Standard of Anesthetic Care During Intubation Resulting in Aspiration ~ part one.” At Julie A. Rice, Attorney at Law, & Affiliates we handle a variety of Medical Malpractice Cases in Atlanta, Georgia and surrounding communities including DeKalb County, Cobb County, Fulton County, the City of Atlanta, and Gwinnett County, just to name a few. One of the types of cases that we see are cases that involve Medical Malpractice in Anesthesiology or, in other words, Anesthesia Malpractice.
For example, a type of case that we see is when there has been a deviation, or breach, in the Standard of Care at the Time of Intubation that has Resulted in Aspiration. In many of these cases, we see Catastrophic Injuries such as severe and permanent brain damage due a lack of oxygen to the brain, and, in the worst case scenarios, we see a Wrongful Death where the patient has died due to the negligence of the anesthesiologist, a nurse, an assistant, an employee of the hospital, the doctor, the hospital itself or any or all of those listed, again, just to name a few of the people and/or entities that could be potentially liable under these circumstances.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a Medical Malpractice Case of this type then we are truly sorry. We understand and are very compassionate to the heartache that your loved one and your family are suffering as a result of such a tragic event. As with all Medical Malpractice Cases, there are strict time lines that must be followed by law and these cases can take months to investigate so it is imperative that you contact us immediately for your free legal consultation by any or all of the following means so that we may begin investigating your case and preparing a case that will end with a winning result: By phone at (770) 865-8654 , (813) 363-6664; by email at juliericelaw@outlook.com; and/or Contact Us on our website or on the Contact Form on this blog. We are available 24/7 and we look forward to assisting you with your case.
In order to determine whether or not there has been a breach in the Standard of Care in these types of cases in particular, there are several questions that must be asked and answered. We have outlined some of the important questions herein below and in our next blog titled, “ANESTHESIA MALPRACTICE ~ The Deviation in the Standard of Anesthetic Care During Intubation Resulting in Aspiration ~ part two,” and also listed why these particular questions are important. Where possible, we have provided outside references as well for your review and consideration.
The following are some important questions that should be asked in a case where there is a question about whether there was a Deviation of the Standard of Anesthetic Care During Intubation that Resulted in Aspiration:
1.) Was the Intubation for the Patient Elected by the Patient (i.e. Elective Intubation for Surgery) or was this an Emergency Intubation?
Why is this important? When an Intubation is performed for a surgical procedure that is major it is performed by election of the patient and it also involves a general anesthetic. An Emergency Intubation, on the other hand, is used to manage an airway in three (3) main groups: 1.) Respiratory Failure; 2.) Airway Obstruction; and 3.) An Airway is not able to be Protected and Maintained as Open.
2.) Was a Procedure Known as the Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) Initiated During the Procedure?
Why is this important? Antacids may need to be administered intravenously in order to prevent and/or minimize Acid Aspiration Syndrome.
3.) Was the Correct Size and Type of Intubation Endotracheal Tube Used?
Why is this important? Although not an absolute measure for prevention, the method that is best used to isolate the airway from the gastrointestinal tract is the placing a cuffed endotracheal tube.
4.) Was the Balloon and the Cuff Integrity Assessed Before the Intubation Procedure?
Why is this important? It is Mandatory to make sure that the integrity of both the cuff and balloon on the tracheal tube are checked prior to intubation.
I will continue my discussion of this most important topic in my next blog post titled, “ANESTHESIA MALPRACTICE ~ The Deviation in the Standard of Anesthetic Care During Intubation Resulting in Aspiration ~ part two.”