dpWhat This Story Is About
- An unspecified event at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown left at least four patients harmed, according to the hospital.
Why It Matters
- One of those patients, 72-year-old Glenda Dorton, is now paralyzed from the chest down, according to her family, who says she was given the wrong medication during surgery.
Catch Up
- ‘I am deeply sorry for the harm caused.’ Undisclosed incident involving several hospital patients prompts investigation in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown says at least four patients were left harmed during an unspecified event, and the family of one of those patients says their loved one is now paralyzed.
The family of 72-year-old Glenda Dorton blames her condition on a medication mix-up during surgery, saying she’s now paralyzed from the chest down.
They told WSMV4 that Dorton went to the Nashville hospital on Friday for a knee replacement and that she was supposed to receive an epidural to help control her pain during the procedure.
Instead, her family says, she was given potassium chloride.
Dorton’s daughter-in-law, Kristina Dorton, told WSMV that the medication error left Dorton paralyzed from the chest down and that she remains in the intensive care unit.
Her family is now hoping doctors can determine whether any of the damage can be reversed.
At least four patients affected
Dorton is one of at least four patients that Ascension Saint Thomas said were impacted by an undisclosed “event.”
“On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients,” hospital President and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia said earlier on Tuesday. “We have met directly with each of the families to express our deep support, connected them with spiritual care teams, and ensured they have access to all appropriate resources and ongoing care needed.”
Ascension has not released specific information about the other three patients and what they may have experienced, citing patient privacy.
Potassium chloride can be extremely dangerous when administered incorrectly. It has also been used as part of Tennessee’s lethal-injection protocol in the past, although the state now uses a different drug for executions.
Hospital says it self-reported the incident
Ascension Saint Thomas says it reported the incident to state regulators on the day it happened and immediately launched an investigation. Jagasia said that they quickly identified the cause of the incident and “implemented corrective safeguards.”
“Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event,” Jagasia added. “…Providing safe, high-quality care is at the core of everything we do, and any gap in meeting that standard receives our immediate, uncompromising attention.”
The hospital’s clinical teams say they are following enhanced safety protocols in the wake of the incident.
“We remain committed to supporting those affected and upholding the highest standards of safety for every person who trusts us with their care,” Jagasia said.
Family waiting for answers
For Dorton’s family, the investigation is only part of the story.
They are now focused on her recovery and whether she will regain any movement or function.
The family says Dorton remains in the ICU and is surrounded by loved ones as they wait for answers about what comes next.
Ascension has not publicly released the specific cause of the medication mix-up or explained how the wrong drug was administered to the patients.
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