Jesse Harvey Sr. reached the age of 99. While hospitalized he underwent a pharyngogram. This is essentially a radiographic procedure of the pharynx. Mr. Harvey was a resident of Arcadian Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. The pharyngogram test showed that he had an inability to swallow. His doctor ordered a nasogastric tube and directed the nursing home not to feed him anything by mouth.
However, two days after Mr. Harvey returned to Arcadian Rehab & Nursing Center, he pulled out the nasogastric tube. A staff member at the nursing facility told the nurse practitioner investigating that there was no pharyngogram in his chart. Assuming that the tube was present because of inadequate nutrition, the nurse practitioner ordered the staff to feed Mr. Harvey grits.
After the feeding, Mr. Harvey developed breathing difficulties. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with aspirational pneumonia. Unfortunately, Mr. Harvey died several days later. He is survived by his five adult children.