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Glenda Dorton left paralyzed after medication mix-up at Nashville hospital during routine knee surgery

Glenda Dorton, a 72-year-old resident of Centerville, was left paralyzed from the chest down following a medication error at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown in Nashville. During a routine knee replacement surgery on August 14, Dorton was administered potassium chloride instead of the intended anesthetic for an epidural procedure. The error, which affected four patients in total, resulted in Dorton experiencing T6 paralysis, leaving her unable to move or feel anything from her sternum down. Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, the hospital's president and CEO, confirmed that the facility self-reported the incident to state regulators and has launched a thorough investigation. While the hospital has implemented corrective safeguards and enhanced safety protocols, the specific cause of the error was not disclosed due to patient confidentiality. The Dorton family expressed that they do not blame the individual doctors or the care team, but rather want to ensure the mistake is not repeated. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the incident.

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