Hospital Horror Story: Un-certified Respiratory Therapist misses Baby’s Lung

A baby was born at the hospital and had difficulty breathing and an un-certified respiratory therapist attempted to intubate (the insertion of a tube for the purpose of adding or removing fluids or air) the baby but missed the lungs and put the tube in the baby’s stomach. The therapist had never intubated a baby by her own admission. Eventually, the baby was sent to another hospital and the tube removed. The baby was eventually discharged unharmed by the hospital. The member's of the medical staff were not told of the error but only heard through scrupulous nurses who were outraged at the behavior of the respiratory therapist.

The medical staff leaders made a formal report to the Joint Commission of Hospitals. The Joint Commission investigated the incident and sanctioned the hospital with formal written reprimand. The hospital was required to have all respiratory therapist certified. The medical staff wanted to know why the doctor's in house were not intubating the patients. The hospital would not use the in house specialists who are available 24 hours per day to assist in an emergency but allow the therapist who is less qualified to perform this procedure.