Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown hospital in Nashville
US hospital drug mix-up leaves patients paralyzed
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- A medication error during routine surgeries caused severe complications.
- Two patients were reportedly left paralyzed after the mix-up.
- Tennessee authorities are now investigating the hospital.
Tennessee authorities have launched an investigation Thursday after a critical medication mix-up at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown hospital in Nashville left four patients facing severe medical complications during routine surgeries.
The error occurred on Friday, Aug 14, when four patients undergoing routine joint replacement operations were administered doses of potassium instead of standard pain medication.
Following the mix-up, families of the patients told WTVF that two were left paralyzed, with at least one remaining in intensive care.
Among those affected is 72-year-old Glenda Dorton, whose attorney confirmed she suffered paralysis following a knee replacement operation. Dorton remains under medical care facing an uncertain recovery.
The hospital’s president and CEO, Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, stated that the facility self-reported the incident to state regulators and implemented corrective safeguards, though officials declined to disclose the specific root cause or clinical details of the patients.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission are currently reviewing the incident.
While potassium is a vital mineral used in controlled clinical doses to support heart and nervous system function, excessive or rapid administration poses severe health risks, including paralysis and cardiac arrest.
