HHS decertifies Kentucky organ donor network over near-harvesting incident
In response to a grave error where a living patient nearly became a victim of premature organ harvesting, the Department of Health and Human Services has revoked the certification of Kentucky’s organ donation network. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst with Fox News, addressed the glaring safety missteps, highlighting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call for essential ethical reforms to safeguard patients and bolster public confidence in the network.
In a separate alarming incident in Nashville, four individuals undergoing routine joint replacement surgeries allegedly received the wrong medication injected into their spines. The mistake left at least one woman paralyzed, as reported by her family.
Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville publicly admitted to a “medication error” within their pharmacy. This blunder resulted in patients being injected with potassium phosphate rather than the intended anesthetic, causing serious adverse health effects, according to several news outlets.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has confirmed to News Media that it has launched an inquiry into the incident following a tip-off from the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission received on Friday.
The unfortunate victims were reportedly administered potassium in place of an anesthetic during their surgical procedures. (Getty Images)
“The joint replacement went wonderful. Her knee is great. The rest of her is not,” Kristina Dorton told WKRN-TV, saying that her mother-in-law was left paralyzed. “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.
Dorton said her mother-in-law currently has no feeling from her breastbone down.
“We don’t know what recovery looks like or if there is recovery,” she said.
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 Media has reached out to the hospital for comment.