Medical error leaves QEH patient in intensive care after nasogastric tube misplaced in bronchus

A 61-year-old patient at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is in a critical condition after a nasogastric feeding tube was misplaced in his bronchus.

Nurses from the orthopedics department replaced the male patient’s nasogastric tube on Sunday June 16 and resumed milk feeding the same night.

However, the patient’s condition suddenly deteriorated in the early hours of Tuesday June 18 and resuscitation and bronchoscopy were carried out. It was discovered that the feeding tube was not placed in the correct position and was in the patient’s left bronchus.

The doctor immediately removed the tube and the 61-year-old man is in critical condition in intensive care, the hospital announced Wednesday.

QEH said it was saddened by the incident and expressed its deepest sympathy to the patient’s family. He noted that hospital representatives have met with the family to further explain the error and will provide any assistance they can.