Failure to Detect Dislodged PEG Tube - Death Undisclosed North Carolina Settlement.

We tender our thanks to the plaintiff's counsel, Charles E. Rawlings, for the report o this case. The plaintiff’s decedent suffered a cerebellar stroke which affected her ability to both swallow and speak and left her paralyzed on the left side. Consequently, a Dubhoff tube was placed to ensure adequate nutrition. Several days later the Dubroff tube was removed and a PEG tube was placed through which she received 1.5 Glucerna at 4 2 cc/hr. At discharge to the defendant facility, a discharge note indicated that the Glucerna was infusing well. The decedent arrived at the defendant’s facility at 10:33 a.m. Her vitals were checked at 11:58 a.m. The PEG tube dislodged shortly thereafter. At 4:45 p.m. decedent was found unresponsive, tachypneic, and hypotensive. Defendant's staff had not noticed the dislodged PEG tube for several hours so nutrients leaked into the abdominal cavity. Respiratory failure and septic shock ensued. The decedent’s condition continued to decline notwithstanding a partial gastrectomy. She was transferred to hospice and died. The matter settled for an undisclosed sum prior to the filing of a complaint.