Nashville hospital medication error leaves at least 1 patient paralyzed after routine surgery, 3 others hurt

Potassium phosphate was injected instead of an anesthetic into four patients' spines during joint replacement surgeries at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital.

Nashville hospital medication error leaves at least 1 patient paralyzed after routine surgery, 3 others hurt

TL;DR

  • Four patients at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville received potassium phosphate instead of anesthetic during joint replacement surgeries.
  • At least one patient, Kristina Dorton's mother-in-law, is paralyzed from the waist down.
  • A second patient is also reported to be paralyzed.
  • The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the medication error.
  • The hospital acknowledged the mistake, apologized, and stated they have implemented corrective safeguards.