Hospital Accused of Giving Elderly Woman Drug Used in Lethal Injections, Paralyzing Her

The family of a 72-year-old Tennessee woman says she became paralyzed after the hospital she was at allegedly gave her a drug previously used for lethal injections by mistake.

Glenda Dorton’s family says she went to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital for a knee replacement. She was due to get an epidural to help control her pain during the procedure. However, her family says that she was instead given potassium chloride, according to WSMV.

The outlet reports the drug was used as part of the state’s lethal injection protocol. However, the state now uses a different drug for executions. Regardless, it must be used very carefully.

Dorton’s family says she is now paralyzed from the chest down as a result of the alleged medical mix-up. However, the hospital has not confirmed that Dorton’s claim is what actually happened. It did self-report an “event” in which at least four patients were affected but stopped short of providing any details to WSMV, citing patient privacy concerns.

“On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients,” hospital President and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia said on Tuesday. “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.”

The family says it is unclear at this time if Dorton will regain movement or function in the lower part of her body. She remains in the ICU as she and her family await answers from the hospital.