Woman left paralyzed from waist down after she was mistakenly given lethal injection drug ahead of knee replacement surgery, family says

A Tennessee woman was left paralyzed from the waist down after being mistakenly given a lethal injection drug ahead of a routine surgery, her family has claimed.Glenda Dorton, 72, underwent a knee replacement surgery at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville on August 14.Before the surgery, she was one of four patients administered potassium instead of the standard pain medication used in a spinal epidural procedure, WZTV reported.Her operation went well but due to the drug mix-up, Dorton suffered a spinal injury and paralysis, and is in 'dire condition.'At least one other patient was also left paralyzed and another was placed in intensive care, WTVF reported. Potassium chloride, which has previously been used in the state's lethal injection protocol, can be dangerous if given improperly or taken in high doses.It is unclear how the medications were mixed up, but the Dortons claim the hospital told them the 'contaminated vials' of medication came directly from the pharmacy.The hospital self-reported the incident to state regulators and has launched an investigation, according to hospital president and CEO, Dr Shubhada Jagasia. Glenda Dorton, with her husband of 50 years Marvin, was left paralyzed from the waist down after being mistakenly given potassium instead of an epidural on August 14 Dorton, 72, has since been transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, which specializes in caring for stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury patients. At the facility, she will learn how to 'live her life to the fullest with as few limitations as possible'Dorton has since been transferred to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, which specializes in caring for stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury patients.At the facility, she is expected to learn how to 'live her life to the fullest with as few limitations as possible,' Dorton's daughter-in-law Kristina wrote Thursday in an update on her Facebook page.'In true Glenda fashion, she is giving the therapists a run for their money, and they are already having come up with more challenging activities for her,' she said.Kristina said the family is hoping and praying for a 'miraculous healing,' while also preparing for the likelihood that Dorton's paralysis is permanent.Despite the horrifying mix-up, the family does not blame Dorton's doctors, anesthesiologist or immediate care team.'The hospital pharmacy made a catastrophic error, switching the epidural anesthetic for potassium,' Kristina's post said.'This error is practically unprecedented in medical history, with two cases ever recorded, and neither of those two cases offered a solid path forward.' Dorton with her husband, son Kyle and daughter-in-law Kristina. The family is hoping and praying for a 'miraculous healing,' while also preparing for the likelihood that Dorton's paralysis is permanent Four patients were impacted by the drug mix-up at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville on August 14The hospital has identified the cause of the mix-up and implemented 'corrective safeguards,' Dr Jagasia said.'Our hearts are with the four patients and their families impacted by this event,' the hospital boss said in a statement to WZTV. 'On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients.'She added: 'We remain committed to supporting those affected and upholding the highest standards of safety for every person who trusts us with their care.' The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is reportedly investigating the incident after the agency was alerted about it by the state Healthcare Facilities Commission.The Daily Mail has approached the hospital, an attorney for Dorton and the TBI for comment.