Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville is under investigation following an incident where four patients allegedly received the wrong medication during joint replacement surgeries. The hospital acknowledged a "medication error" in its pharmacy that resulted in patients being injected with potassium phosphate instead of a standard anesthetic, leading to adverse health reactions.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed it is investigating the incident, having received information from the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission. The error occurred during routine joint replacement procedures.
Kristina Dorton, whose mother-in-law was one of the affected patients, told WKRN-TV that her mother-in-law was left paralyzed from the chest down. "The joint replacement went wonderful. Her knee is great. The rest of her is not," Dorton said, adding that the intended anesthetic was Bupivacaine and the quantity of potassium injected is unknown.
Another patient is also reportedly paralyzed, according to CBS News, while the other two individuals experienced serious complications. Dorton expressed uncertainty about the potential for recovery, stating, "We don’t know what recovery looks like or if there is recovery."
Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital, issued a statement expressing sorrow for the patients' harm. "Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event. On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients," Jagasia said. She confirmed the hospital self-reported the incident to state regulators on the day it occurred, launched an investigation, identified the cause, and implemented corrective safeguards.
Jagasia added that clinical teams are employing enhanced safety protocols at the Midtown facility. However, Dorton noted that the treatments intended to help her mother-in-law recover have not been effective. "This is life-changing. You don’t come out of this without some type of life-altering, catastrophic deficit," she said, emphasizing the urgent need for potential recovery options.