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Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital faces investigation after alleged medication error
A 72-year-old woman, Glenda Dorton, has been left paralyzed from the chest down following an alleged medication error at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Tennessee. Dorton’s family claims that while she was undergoing a routine knee replacement, she was mistakenly administered potassium chloride instead of an epidural for pain management.
Ascension Saint Thomas management confirmed that four patients were harmed during the incident. While the hospital has not officially confirmed the specific medication involved, the family alleges the substance used is one historically associated with lethal injections. The hospital has cited patient privacy laws regarding the identities and conditions of the other three affected individuals.
Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, the hospital’s President and CEO, issued an apology to the families and stated that the facility has met with them to offer support. State health officials were notified of the event on the day it occurred and have launched a review. The hospital indicated that changes have been implemented to prevent similar occurrences, though the exact cause of the mix-up remains under investigation.
Entities
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown · Glenda Dorton · Shubhada Jagasia · Tennessee
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Glenda Dorton was mistakenly given potassium chloride instead of an epidural. pulptastic.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Hospital President and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia apologized to the affected patients and families. pulptastic.com · rutherfordsource.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A total of four patients were harmed during the incident. rutherfordsource.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Glenda Dorton is paralyzed from the chest down. pulptastic.com · thegardenmagazine.com · rutherfordsource.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] At least three other patients were affected by the same incident. pulptastic.com · thegardenmagazine.com · rutherfordsource.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] State health officials were notified of the incident and have begun a review. rutherfordsource.com