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Rachel V Thomas

US Woman Paralyzed After Potassium Mistakenly Given During Knee Replacement Surgery

A US woman undergoing routine <span>knee surgery</span> at a Nashville hospital was left paralyzed following a medical mistake in which potassium was reportedly given instead of the intended anesthetic.

Speaking to the media, her daughter-in-law said that while the 72-year-old’s knee replacement went well, potassium administered during spinal anesthesia instead of <span>bupivacaine</span> has left her paralyzed.

“The joint replacement went wonderfully. Her knee is great. The rest of her is not,” daughter-in-law <span>Kristina Dorton</span> was quoted as saying by WSMV.com.

<h2>What Went Wrong During the Knee Surgery?</h2>

On August 14, her mother-in-law went in for a routine knee replacement at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown. Everything appeared normal for the healthy 72-year-old until the surgical team realized that she had been given the wrong medicine during spinal anesthesia.

“It was supposed to be the anesthetic. It was supposed to be Bupivacaine, and it was potassium, and we don’t know what quantity,” <span>Dorton</span> said.

According to Dorton, when her mother-in-law woke up from surgery, she was sent to the intensive care unit. While the knee replacement was successful, her family is worried that she may never be able to feel her knee or any part of her lower body again.

“Currently, she has zero feeling, movement, or response to pain from her breastbone down. We don’t know what recovery looks like or if there is recovery,” Dorton said.

<h2>Four Patients Reportedly Impacted</h2>

According to media reports, the woman was not the only patient affected. An investigation found that as many as four patients were impacted by similar “events” involving the administration of the wrong medication at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown.

“Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event. On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients,” Dr. <span>Shubhada Jagasia</span>, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital’s Midtown, said in a statement.

However, hospital officials did not confirm whether the other patients also received potassium instead of the intended anesthetic, stating that they would not provide specific clinical details to protect patients’ privacy.

While Jagasia said the hospital is ensuring that affected patients have access to the resources and ongoing care they need, Dorton said treatment aimed at reversing her mother-in-law’s paralysis has not worked.

“This is life-changing. You don’t come out of this without some type of life-altering, catastrophic deficit,” Dorton said.

“We just are hoping that publicizing this gets some sort of genius somewhere that knows what to do… Time is of the essence here for recovery,” Dorton added.

<h2>When Can Potassium Turn Dangerous?</h2>

Potassium is an essential mineral that helps the body function. While it plays important roles in blood pressure regulation, bone health and kidney function, having too much potassium in the blood can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening problems.

Too much potassium in the blood is known as hyperkalemia. Severe hyperkalemia can affect the heart’s electrical activity and cause dangerous abnormal heart rhythms or cardiac arrest.

Potassium is also not used as an anesthetic agent. During medical care, potassium levels must be carefully managed because changes in this electrolyte can significantly affect heart and muscle function.

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A US woman undergoing routine knee surgery at a Nashville hospital was left paralyzed following a medical mistake in which potassium was reportedly given instead of the intended anesthetic.Speaking to the media, her daughter-in-law said that while the 72-year-old’s knee replacement went well, potassium administered during spinal anesthesia instead of bupivacaine has left her paralyzed.“The joint replacement went wonderfully. Her knee is great. The rest of her is not,” daughter-in-law Kristina Dorton was quoted as saying by WSMV.com.What Went Wrong During the Knee Surgery?On August 14, her mother-in-law went in for a routine knee replacement at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown. Everything appeared normal for the healthy 72-year-old until the surgical team realized that she had been given the wrong medicine during spinal anesthesia.“It was supposed to be the anesthetic. It was supposed to be Bupivacaine, and it was potassium, and we don’t know what quantity,” Dorton said.According to Dorton, when her mother-in-law woke up from surgery, she was sent to the intensive care unit. While the knee replacement was successful, her family is worried that she may never be able to feel her knee or any part of her lower body again.“Currently, she has zero feeling, movement, or response to pain from her breastbone down. We don’t know what recovery looks like or if there is recovery,” Dorton said.Four Patients Reportedly ImpactedAccording to media reports, the woman was not the only patient affected. An investigation found that as many as four patients were impacted by similar “events” involving the administration of the wrong medication at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown.“Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event. On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients,” Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital’s Midtown, said in a statement.However, hospital officials did not confirm whether the other patients also received potassium instead of the intended anesthetic, stating that they would not provide specific clinical details to protect patients’ privacy.While Jagasia said the hospital is ensuring that affected patients have access to the resources and ongoing care they need, Dorton said treatment aimed at reversing her mother-in-law’s paralysis has not worked.“This is life-changing. You don’t come out of this without some type of life-altering, catastrophic deficit,” Dorton said.“We just are hoping that publicizing this gets some sort of genius somewhere that knows what to do… Time is of the essence here for recovery,” Dorton added.When Can Potassium Turn Dangerous?Potassium is an essential mineral that helps the body function. While it plays important roles in blood pressure regulation, bone health and kidney function, having too much potassium in the blood can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening problems.Too much potassium in the blood is known as hyperkalemia. Severe hyperkalemia can affect the heart’s electrical activity and cause dangerous abnormal heart rhythms or cardiac arrest.Potassium is also not used as an anesthetic agent. During medical care, potassium levels must be carefully managed because changes in this electrolyte can significantly affect heart and muscle function.

us woman paralyzed after potassium mistakenly given during knee replacement surgery

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