Tenn. woman paralyzed after alleged drug mix-up at Nashville hospital, 3 others affected – WZTV

Tenn. woman paralyzed after alleged drug mix-up at Nashville hospital, 3 others affected  WZTV

A 72-year-old Middle Tennessee woman is paralyzed after what her family says was a medication mix-up at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown that affected four patients and prompted a state investigation. Glenda Dorton, an avid gardener from Centerville, went to the Nashville hospital Aug. 14 for what was supposed to be a routine knee replacement surgery. NEW | Nashville hospital admits pharmacy error in incident leaving at least one paralyzed Her daughter-in-law, Kristina Dorton, confirmed to FOX 17 News that before the surgery began, Glenda was given potassium instead of the anesthetic intended for an epidural procedure. “Instead of the anesthetic that was going into her spine for that epidural procedure, before the surgery even started, it was potassium,” Kristina Dorton said.

Potassium chloride can be extremely dangerous when administered incorrectly. It has also been used as a part of Tennessee's lethal injection protocol in the past. Now, the state uses a different drug for executions. MORE | Nashville nurse imposter sentenced to four years supervised probation Kristina said the family was told the medication came directly from the pharmacy and stressed that they do not blame Glenda's doctors, anesthesiologist or immediate care team. According to Kristina, hospital employees told the family three other patients undergoing joint surgeries that day were treated with what employees described to them as “contaminated