Drug mix-up at Nashville hospital causes complications in 4 patients
Four patients at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown received incorrect medications last week, CBS affiliate WTVF reported.
A drug mix-up at Nashville's Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown hospital has led to complications for four patients undergoing routine surgeries. The error, which occurred on August 14, involved patients receiving potassium instead of pain medication during joint replacement operations. All procedures were intended to be outpatient, but two patients are now paralyzed and one is in intensive care.
One of the victims, 72-year-old Glenda Dorton, underwent a knee replacement surgery. Her attorney, Mark Walwyn, described her prognosis as unclear but dire, stating that she remains under medical care facing a long and uncertain recovery. The hospital president and CEO, Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, informed state regulators of the event on the same day it occurred and launched an investigation.
The hospital has implemented enhanced safety protocols to prevent similar errors. The cause of the mix-up remains unknown, but hospital staff have met with the affected patients' families. Medical malpractice attorney Clint Kelly described the case as one of the worst he has encountered, emphasizing the severe danger of excessive potassium intake.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
