A Tennessee grandmother was left paralyzed from the chest down following an alleged medication error at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville. Glenda Dorton, 72, reportedly received potassium chloride, a drug previously used in lethal injections, instead of an epidural intended to manage pain after her knee replacement surgery on Friday.
Dorton's daughter-in-law, Kristina Dorton, told WSMV4 that her mother-in-law is now in the intensive care unit, and doctors are working to determine if the damage can be reversed.
Ascension Saint Thomas management acknowledged an undisclosed "event" that affected at least three other patients at the hospital. The hospital has not confirmed the family's specific claim regarding the medication administered to Dorton. Citing patient privacy, no further details have been released about the other affected individuals.
"On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients," Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, hospital president and CEO, stated in a message to The Post. "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."
An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Potassium chloride is known to be dangerous if administered incorrectly.