Medical Center of Louisiana sued by woman claiming injuries due to feeding tube placement

NEW ORLEANS – A St. Tammany Parish woman is suing the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, a doctor, and two registered nurses over an improperly inserted feeding tube.

Elaine Hollins filed suit against the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Health Care Services Division d/b/a Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans - University Hospital (West Campus), Dr. John P. Hunt, Rodney T. Biggs, RN, and Victoria Cochran, RN in the New Orleans Parish Central District Court on Aug. 5.

Hollins claims that on June 22, 2012 she was transported to the Medical Center at New Orleans - University Hospital (West Campus), where she received treatment following her involvement as a passenger in an automobile accident.

During the course of treatment, a feeding tube was allegedly inserted into Hollins by Dr. John P. Hunt.

The petition states that Hunt failed to properly insert the feeding tube, and that nurses Rodney T. Biggs and Victoria Cochran failed to monitor Hollins properly and advise her physicians that the tube was out of place and causing serious damage.

Hollins asserts that because the feeding tube was improperly placed, the liquid nutrients being fed to her went into the peritoneal cavities of her abdominal area rather than her stomach. The fluid allegedly adhered to many organs and tissues in the abdominal area. Hollins contracted ulcers and suffered a stroke as a result of the misplaced feeding tube and ensuing treatment, says the suit. Eventually, Hollins claims she became septic and had to undergo extensive antibiotic treatment to combat the sepsis resulting from the improperly placed feeding tube.

Dr. John P. Hunt, Rodney T. Biggs and Victoria Cochran are accused failing to ensure that the feeding tube was properly placed, failing to determine that the feeding tube became dislodged, failing to properly monitor Hollins' condition, and failing to adhere to physician and nursing standards of care in the treatment of a patient with a feeding tube.

LSU Health Sciences Center - Health Care Services Division is accused of failing to supervise its employees.

The plaintiff seeks an unknown amount in damages for past, present, and future pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses and court costs.

Elaine Hollins is represented by attorney Daniel W. Nodurft and Robichaux Law Firm LLC.

The case has been assigned to District J Judge Paula A. Brown.