Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Investigates Medication Mix-Up Leaving Patient Paralyzed
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville is investigating an undisclosed incident that harmed at least four patients, with one, 72-year-old Glenda Dorton, reportedly paralyzed from the chest down. According to her family, Dorton was admitted for a knee replacement and was supposed to receive an epidural for pain control. Instead, she was allegedly given potassium chloride, a substance that can be lethal and has been used in lethal injection protocols. Hospital President and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia stated that the hospital self-reported the incident to state regulators on the day it occurred, launched an investigation, identified the cause, and implemented corrective safeguards. The hospital has not released specific details about the other three affected patients, citing patient privacy. Dorton remains in the intensive care unit, and her family is seeking answers regarding her recovery and the possibility of reversing the damage.