A routine trip to the hospital for joint-replacement surgery turned into a medical nightmare for four patients in Nashville after a pharmacy error allegedly resulted in them receiving a potentially dangerous potassium compound instead of an anesthetic.
Two of the patients were reportedly left paralyzed, one remains on a ventilator, and multiple patients went into cardiac arrest following the August 14 incident at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is now involved. According to the hospital, the four patients were supposed to receive mepivacaine, a local anesthetic commonly used during surgical procedures. Instead, the hospital’s pharmacy supplied potassium phosphate.
In excessive amounts or when administered too rapidly, potassium can cause potentially fatal changes in heart rhythm and cardiac arrest.
Ascension Saint Thomas acknowledged the error Friday.
“Our hearts remain entirely with the four patients and families impacted by the recent event at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown,” the hospital said. “On behalf of our leadership and care teams, we extend our deepest apologies for the harm caused.”
Well, that’s quite the “whoops.” It is unclear if the “apology” will lead to damages paid to those who were harmed.
CBS News recently covered the drug mix-up: