A Nashville hospital is facing legal accusations after multiple patients were left paralyzed due to alleged serious errors.
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According to the local media outlet NewsChannel 5, at least four people went ot Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown for joint replacement surgeries earlier this month. However, things took a turn in the operating room due to a drug mix-up.
One of the patient’s families now claims that due to the mix-up, she is permanently paralyzed from the chest down. While she was supposed to have an epidural during the procedure, the wrong medication was given.
The three other patients had a similar mix-up at the hospital.
In a statement to NewsChannel 5, the hospital stated, “Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event.”
A Nashville hospital is facing legal accusations after multiple patients were left paralyzed due to alleged serious errors. Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, the hospital’s president and CEO, further spoke out about the incidents.
“On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients,” Jagasia said. “We have met directly with each of the families to express our deep support, connected them with spiritual care teams, and ensured they have access to all appropriate resources and ongoing care needed.”
The Mix-Up Allegedly Occurred in the Pharmacy
Sources told NewsChannel 5 that the mix-up allegedly happened at the hospital’s pharmacy.
The sources say that the patients were supposed to get an anesthetic called bupivacaine during the procedures. Instead, they were given potassium, which is said to be lethal in high doses.
Hospital officials did disclose that on the day of the event, they launched a thorough investigation and identified the cause. They have now “implemented corrective safeguards.”
The family of the patient, paralyzed from the chest down, revealed that following the incident, she was transferred to Ascension Saint Thomas West. She is currently in the hospital’s ICU.
Nashville attorney Carl Walter spoke out about the situation. He told WKRN that the situation is troubling and a potential breakdown in safety protocols.
“Safeguards should have been in place to prevent this error from happening,” he said. “The fact that happened on four separate occasions that we know of is very concerning.”