How a Routine Hospital Visit Turned a Woman’s Life Upside Down: The Shocking Medication Mix-Up That Left Her Paralyzed
Ever wonder how a simple mix-up in a hospital pharmacy could turn a routine knee replacement into a life-altering tragedy? At Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, four patients expecting a smooth joint replacement surgery were instead hit with a shocking error—they were given potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic, mepivacaine. Among them, 72-year-old Glenda Dorton was left paralyzed from the sternum down, a devastating outcome nobody saw coming. It’s the stuff of nightmares—and raises the question: how do such critical errors slip through in places designed for healing? The hospital’s scramble to fix the blunder—apologies, investigations, and protocol changes—won’t undo the damage, but highlights a fraught reality in healthcare that’s as unsettling as it is urgent. Curious to dive deeper? LEARN MORE.
A woman was left paralysed with others also affected after staff at a major US hospital provided the incorrect medicine.
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville revealed the error at its Midtown hospital had impacted four joint replacement patients.
It said that the patients had mistakenly received potassium phosphate instead of an anaesthetic medication. The mix up was reported in the pharmacy on 14 August.
According to a statement last week, the four patients were supposed to receive mepivacaine but instead, the hospital said they received potassium phosphate.
“The four patients experienced adverse health reactions and received immediate medical care,” the hospital said in a public statement.
The hospital has spoken out (Getty Stock Image)
“Our hearts remain entirely with the four patients and families impacted by the recent event at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown. On behalf of our leadership and care teams, we extend our deepest apologies for the harm caused.”
A full review confirmed no other patients were affected, according to the hospital.
However, the family of one woman, identified as 72-year-old Glenda Dorton, spoke out after she was reportedly left paralysed following the medication error.
Her family told news outlet Fox17 that she had gone into hospital for a routine knee replacement and was one of the patients impacted.
Dorton’s family claimed she was supposed to receive an anaesthetic through an epidural before surgery but was instead given potassium.
Her family said she then woke up after surgery unable to feel or move from the sternum down before being informed she had T-6 paralysis.
In a statement to Fox17, Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, apologised for the harm caused.
The doctor said: “Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event.
“On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients.”
Dr. Jagasia said hospital leaders met directly with each affected family and provided access to resources and ongoing care. The hospital said it self-reported the incident to state regulators the same day it occurred and launched an investigation.
The hospital said it is investigating (Getty Stock Image)
“We identified the cause and have implemented corrective safeguards,” Dr. Jagasia added.
It was reported that the hospital had made changes including to storing high-alert medications in separate areas to ‘reduce the risk of selection errors’ and through hard-stop and escalation, meaning any spinal medication scan alert must trigger a stop and be verified.
As per Fox17, the hospital also said it continues to collaborate with state and federal officials following its self-report and has engaged independent, third-party quality experts to carry out a review.
Ascension Saint Thomas added: “Any gap in meeting that standard receives our immediate, uncompromising attention.
“We remain steadfastly committed to supporting those affected and upholding safety standards for every person who trusts us with their care.”
LADbible has approached Ascension Saint Thomas for further comment.
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