Tennessee Hospital Error Leaves Woman Paralyzed After Wrong Medication Administration

A 72-year-old woman from Nashville, Tennessee, Glenda Dorton, has been left paralyzed after a hospital pharmacy mistakenly administered potassium phosphate instead of the intended anesthetic during her routine knee replacement surgery. The incident occurred at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown on August 14, 2026.

According to Kristina Dorton, Glenda's daughter-in-law, the error resulted in a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left her completely paralyzed from her rib cage down. At least three other patients were similarly affected by receiving incorrect medications during their surgeries at the same hospital on the same day. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an 80-page report detailing the series of failures leading to these tragic outcomes.

The CMS report indicates that pharmacy staff incorrectly prepared five syringes of medication intended for use as a nerve block for intrathecal spinal administration on August 13, 2026. The following day, these medications were mistakenly administered intrathecally to four surgical patients, causing immediate and severe harm. All affected individuals required transfer to higher levels of care due to the severity of their conditions.

The report further revealed that pharmacy staff involved in preparing the medication did not identify the error during the preparation, verification, and dispensing process despite the direct involvement of three Pharmacy Technicians and one Pharmacist. When investigators spoke with hospital employees about standard operating procedures for photographing medications, a pharmacist reportedly declined to provide specific details, suggesting that such protocols are subject to frequent changes and are often avoided in writing to prevent liability issues.

Glenda Dorton was subsequently transferred to a research hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she is receiving specialized care aimed at adapting to her new condition. Her family remains optimistic about her recovery process, noting her determination and resilience during therapy sessions.

In response to the incident, Ascension, the governing body of Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, issued an apology on August 21, 2026, stating that they have implemented several changes to their pharmacy processes and safety protocols. They also highlighted ongoing support for affected patients and their families through dedicated clinical care and spiritual resources.

This case underscores critical issues within hospital pharmacies regarding medication preparation and verification procedures, highlighting the need for stringent quality control measures to prevent such devastating errors in the future. The incident has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability in healthcare settings across the country.