HHS decertifies Kentucky organ donor network over near-harvesting incident
The Department of Health and Human Services has moved to decertify Kentucky’s organ donation network following an alarming case in which a living patient was nearly subjected to organ procurement. Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel weighed in on the reported breakdowns in patient safety after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged ethical changes aimed at safeguarding patients and rebuilding confidence in the transplant system.
In Nashville, four patients who arrived at a hospital for routine joint replacement procedures were allegedly given the wrong medication through a spinal injection, with one woman’s family saying the mistake left her paralyzed.
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown acknowledged Friday that an alleged pharmacy-related “medication error” resulted in patients receiving potassium phosphate rather than the intended anesthetic, leading to “adverse health reactions,” according to multiple reports.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation told News Outlet on Saturday that it has opened an investigation into the matter after receiving information from the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission on Friday.
The patients were reportedly given a potassium-based drug instead of anesthesia during their surgeries. (Getty Images)
Kristina Dorton told WKRN-TV that her mother-in-law’s knee replacement itself was successful, but the alleged medication mix-up caused devastating complications. Dorton said the injection was supposed to be the anesthetic Bupivacaine, but instead was potassium, and the family still does not know how much was administered.
According to Dorton, her mother-in-law currently has no sensation from the breastbone down.
Dorton said the family remains unsure what recovery may look like — or whether any recovery is possible.
The other three patients allegedly suffered serious complications from the mix-up, with CBS News reporting that a second patient is also saying they were left paralyzed.
The hospital’s CEO said the patients were all being cared for after the mix-up. (Google Maps)
Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, president & CEO of the hospital, said in a statement earlier this week, per WSMV, “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. 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.”
Jagasia continued, “Providing safe, high-quality care is at the core of everything we do, and any gap in meeting that standard receives our immediate, uncompromising attention. The day of the event, we self-reported to state regulators and launched a thorough investigation. We identified the cause and have implemented corrective safeguards.”
She added that the hospital’s clinical teams are actively using enhanced safety protocols to “ensure the highest level of safety at Midtown.”
But Dorton told WKRN that the treatment to help her mother-in-law recover isn’t working.
At least one woman was left paralyzed by the alleged mix-up, but all four of the affected patients face serious complications. (iStock)
“This is life-changing. You don’t come out of this without some type of life-altering, catastrophic deficit,” she said, adding that their family is hoping someone, somewhere will know how to help her mother-in-law.
“Time is of the essence here for recovery,” she added.
News Outlet has reached out to the hospital for comment.
