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Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville acknowledged Friday that a pharmacy error led to four patients undergoing routine joint replacement procedures being administered potassium phosphate instead of the intended spinal anesthetic bupivacaine. The mistake resulted in serious adverse health reactions among the affected patients, with at least one woman suffering paralysis, according to family members and news reports.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched a formal inquiry Saturday after receiving notification from the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission. One patient’s family member, Kristina Dorton, told media outlets that her mother-in-law now lacks sensation from her breastbone downward and faces an uncertain recovery prognosis following what was otherwise a successful knee replacement procedure.
A second patient reportedly also experienced paralysis from the medication mix-up, while the remaining two patients sustained serious complications. Hospital leadership expressed deep remorse, with President and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia stating in a statement that the facility had self-reported to state regulators, identified the root cause, and implemented corrective safety measures and enhanced protocols.
Dorton cautioned that the current treatment approach is proving ineffective and emphasized the critical time window for recovery intervention. She urged medical professionals to come forward with potential solutions for her mother-in-law’s condition, describing the incident as fundamentally life-altering.
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