At least one patient has been left permanently paralyzed and three others harmed after anesthetic was inadvertently swapped with a potentially-deadly substance during routine surgery, according to reports. State regulators launched an investigation into the incident at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown in Nashville, Tennessee, which occurred late last week during standard procedures requiring epidurals for pain management. The family of one victim, a 72-year-old woman from Centerville admitted for a knee replacement, told ABC affiliate WKRN she now has no feeling from the chest down.
We don’t know what recovery looks like or if there is recovery. You don’t come out of this without some type of life-altering, catastrophic deficit.” The hospital confirmed three other patients were involved in the incident but the impact on them is not yet clear. According to News Channel 5 Investigates, the mix-up is believed to have originated in the hospital’s pharmacy.
Syringes intended to hold the anesthetic bupivacaine were instead filled with potassium, the outlet reported. A mineral vital for bodily functions, potassium can lead to heart attacks in excessive amounts and is used in lethal injections. Her family is currently consulting with legal counsel as treatments to reverse the paralysis have so far failed.
The hospital has apologized for any harm caused to patients, adding that it had launched an investigation and identified the cause. However it has not yet confirmed how or why the mix-up occurred. Shubhada Jagasia, President and CEO of the hospital, told WSMV in a statement.
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. We identified the cause and have implemented corrective safeguards.” The Independent has contacted Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown for further comment. Hospitals are legally bound to notify state regulatory agencies immediately when critical medical errors occur.
Though Ascension maintains it promptly filed the required notices, state authorities have declined to elaborate further, confirming only that an inquiry is active. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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