Given that intubation is an invasive procedure, passing a plastic tube through the oral cavity into the trachea, it would be easy to introduce bacteria from the mouth into the respiratory tract. These oral bacteria do not belong there and could lead to sepsis if they grow. Sepsis happens quite commonly in bacterial pneumonia because so much blood goes through the lungs and the bacteria can easily cross over to the bloodstream and spread thoughout the body.
The tube has to be maintained and cleaned out while the patients is intubated. Any deficiencies in this procedure can introduce bacteria into the lungs. The respiratory tract is a self-cleaning system that works only if respiration and coughing and mucous can all work together in harmony. This is how we avoid respiratory infections. The act of intubation interferes with this process for obvious reasons.
Treatment protocols for Covid that I have read also rely on the use of various steroids to reduce inflammation and calm the cytokine storm, both of which cause tissue damage. Steroids have the unfortunate side effect of suppressing the immune system, making the patient more vulnerable to bacterial infection and sepsis. Care providers must be vigilant to keep these things from happening. It is not unusual to administer antibiotics during this time as a preventative (prophylaxis).
As DoMagnum said, it’s likely the sepsis resulted from hospital-acquired infection, made worse by lack of nutrients and vitamins. As you get all medical records, look for the nursing notes as well.
Given that intubation is an invasive procedure, passing a plastic tube through the oral cavity into the trachea, it would be easy to introduce bacteria from the mouth into the respiratory tract. These oral bacteria do not belong there and could lead to sepsis if they grow. Sepsis happens quite commonly in bacterial pneumonia because so much blood goes through the lungs and the bacteria can easily cross over to the bloodstream and spread thoughout the body.
The tube has to be maintained and cleaned out while the patients is intubated. Any deficiencies in this procedure can introduce bacteria into the lungs. The respiratory tract is a self-cleaning system that works only if respiration and coughing and mucous can all work together in harmony. This is how we avoid respiratory infections. The act of intubation interferes with this process for obvious reasons.
Treatment protocols for Covid that I have read also rely on the use of various steroids to reduce inflammation and calm the cytokine storm, both of which cause tissue damage. Steroids have the unfortunate side effect of suppressing the immune system, making the patient more vulnerable to bacterial infection and sepsis. Care providers must be vigilant to keep these things from happening. It is not unusual to administer antibiotics during this time as a preventative (prophylaxis).
I am sorry for your loss.
We are here to help one another.
Glad to see you, Tasty.
As DoMagnum said, it’s likely the sepsis resulted from hospital-acquired infection, made worse by lack of nutrients and vitamins. As you get all medical records, look for the nursing notes as well.
Thinking about you and your family.