The placement or use of a tracheostomy tube can be fatal for a patient. This is one of the reasons why it is essential that medical devices not be removed on the floor prior to sending a body for an autopsy.
Complications of a tracheostomy tube that can be fatal for a patient:
(1) perforation of the tracheal wall with mediastinitis, pneumothorax or other complication
(2) perforation of a major blood vessel with severe hemorrhage
(3) cellulitis or other serious infection
(4) luminal occlusion by mucus plugs
(5) incorrect positioning of the intra-tracheal end with failure to oxygenate
(6) accidental extubation
(7) detachment of the external end from a ventilator
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