On August 14, 2026, four patients checked into Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville for joint replacement surgeries. They didn't leave as expected. The hospital's own statement confirms all four were harmed during what it called an "event." One affected family says the real cause was a medication mix-up: potassium chloride, a drug capable of stopping the heart, given in place of a routine anesthetic. If you or someone you love had surgery at this hospital around that date, here's what's confirmed so far, and how to find out if you have a case.
Key Facts at a Glance
- What happened: Four patients were harmed during joint replacement surgeries at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown on August 14, 2026.
- What went wrong: A syringe meant for a numbing medicine reportedly held potassium chloride, which can stop the heart.
- The impact: Patient Glenda Dorton is now paralyzed from the chest down.
- Who's investigating: The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
- What to do: A free case review can help you understand your options.
What Actually Happened at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown
A routine surgery should end in recovery, not intensive care. That's what one family says happened after a knee replacement went wrong at the hospital's Midtown campus. The hospital's CEO confirmed four patients were harmed in what it called an "event," and Tennessee and federal investigators are now looking into it.
What Went Wrong: Potassium Chloride Instead of Anesthesia
One family says their loved one was scheduled for an epidural with bupivacaine, a numbing medicine. Instead, they say the syringe held potassium chloride, which can stop the heart. Since 1989, safety experts have flagged potassium chloride as a high-alert medication requiring special safeguards, since a mix-up can be deadly. IV medications carry documented risk more broadly: a 2025 review hosted by the National Library of Medicine of 23 studies found that reported IV administration error rates ranged from 5% to 63% across hospitals worldwide, with errors including wrong dose, wrong rate, wrong technique, mislabeling, and omitted doses, not only wrong-drug mix-ups like the one described above. The wide range reflects differences in how hospitals define and track errors rather than a single consistent error rate, and most of the drugs involved in these studies were common IV medications, not high-alert drugs like potassium chloride specifically.
One Patient's Story: Glenda Dorton
Glenda Dorton, 72, of Centerville, went to Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown expecting a routine knee replacement. Her family says she woke up unable to feel or move her legs, now paralyzed from the chest down, a sudden change for a woman they describe as active and healthy. She was moved to Ascension Saint Thomas West and placed in intensive care. The hospital hasn't said what happened to the other three patients, citing privacy.
What Ascension Saint Thomas Has Said So Far
Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown, said the hospital reported the incident to state regulators the day it happened and opened its own investigation. She said she was "deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients," and that the hospital has met with each family and connected them with support resources. Ascension says it found a cause and put new safeguards in place, but hasn't said what either one is. The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, which licenses hospitals and investigates complaints, is reviewing the case with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Why This Matters: Medication Errors Are More Common Than You Think
This raises real questions about what safeguards were supposed to catch the error. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports hospitals get medications wrong 8% to 25% of the time. A federal summary of hospital data puts the rate at roughly 6.5 errors per 100 admissions, some tied to deaths. Families affected by events like this often face permanent injuries and years of uncertainty. An investigation alone doesn't guarantee accountability or payment for what's been lost.
How We Can Help Nashville Families
When a hospital error causes permanent harm, families in Belmont, Midtown, and across greater Nashville deserve straight answers about what happened and what it will cost them. We investigate the error, work with medical and pharmacy experts, and add up what a family has lost, from ongoing care to lost income. That groundwork often makes the difference between a quiet apology and real accountability.
Why Nashville Families Trust Us
We know Nashville hospitals. Years fighting major hospital systems across Middle Tennessee means we know how to get real answers.
We keep you in the loop. No bouncing between departments. We update you in plain language, not legal jargon.
You don't pay unless we win. No upfront cost, ever.
Ready to Get Started? Here's How
- Call or message us for a free, confidential consultation.
- We review the timeline, medical records, and hospital statements to see if a claim makes sense.
- If we move forward, we handle the investigation and hospital communications while you focus on recovery. Learn more about us if you'd like.
What It Costs, and How Scheduling Works
There's no fee unless we win, and the first conversation costs nothing. We can meet by phone, video, or in person, including hospital or home visits. Tennessee sets a deadline for this kind of claim, sooner than most people expect, so earlier calls give us more room to investigate. Our services cover the full range of injury claims Nashville families face.
Questions Nashville Families Are Asking
Was I affected if I had surgery there around August 14, 2026?
If you or a family member had a procedure there around that date and had unexpected problems, especially after anesthesia, get your case reviewed. Not every complication is related, but the review is free.
What if the hospital already contacted my family?
Outreach, resources, or an apology aren't the same as payment for what you've lost. Talk to an attorney before agreeing to anything with the hospital.
Do I need medical records to get started?
No. We can request records on your behalf once you decide to move forward. For the first call, we just need your account of what happened and when.
How long do I have to file a claim in Tennessee?
Tennessee sets a deadline for this kind of claim, sooner than many families expect. Waiting can cost you options, since records and memories fade over time. We'll review your situation at no cost.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases resolve through negotiation once the facts are clear, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, so the hospital knows we're serious.
Finding Our Nashville Office
Our office sits along Demonbreun Street near I-40 and West End Avenue, a short walk from the Music City Center and an easy trip on WeGo transit. Address: 1033 Demonbreun St., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203. Phone: (615) 205-0000.
Have You Been Affected?
Details are still coming out, and the full scope of who was affected isn't public yet. If you or a family member had surgery at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown on or around August 14, 2026, or had unexpected complications after anesthesia there, we want to hear from you. You may be entitled to answers and to compensation that the hospital has not offered. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. No obligation, and Cory Watson Attorneys doesn't charge anything unless we win.