Grandmother Paralyzed from Chest Down After Being Given Lethal Injection Drug in Hospital Mix-Up

A Tennessee grandmother is fighting to recover after her family says a shocking medication error during a routine hospital visit left her paralyzed from the chest down.

Glenda Dorton, 72, went to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown in Nashville on Friday for a knee replacement procedure.

Her family claims she was supposed to receive an epidural for pain control but was instead given potassium chloride, a powerful medication that can be extremely dangerous if administered incorrectly.

Potassium chloride was previously used as part of Tennessee’s lethal-injection protocol, though the state now uses a different combination of drugs.

According to Dorton’s daughter-in-law, Kristina Dorton, the 72-year-old is now paralyzed from the chest down and remains in the intensive care unit.

Doctors are reportedly still trying to determine whether any of the damage can be reversed.

The hospital has not publicly confirmed the family’s allegation that Dorton received the wrong medication.

However, Ascension Saint Thomas did acknowledge that multiple patients were affected during what it described as an “event.”

At least three other patients were reportedly involved, though the hospital has not released details about what happened to them, citing privacy concerns.

Hospital president and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia apologized publicly for the harm caused.

“On behalf of our leadership and care teams, I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to our patients,” Jagasia said in a statement.

She added that hospital officials had met directly with the affected families and were providing support, including access to spiritual care teams and other resources.

“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,” she said.

Dorton’s family is now waiting for answers as doctors continue to monitor her condition.

The hospital has not said exactly what caused the incident or whether a medication error has been confirmed.

An investigation is ongoing.