Tennessee Probes Nashville Hospital Drug Mix-Up In Four Surgeries
Tennessee investigators are probing a drug mix-up at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown in Nashville after four patients were given potassium instead of pain medication during outpatient joint-replacement surgeries on Friday, August 14, 2026, causing complications.[1]
Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown said it self-reported the incident to state regulators, launched an internal investigation and has put in new safeguards.[1] The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opened a probe after the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission reported the incident to state law enforcement.[1]
Hospital officials say four patients received potassium by mistake instead of standard pain drugs during the procedures, and all suffered complications that required treatment.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The drug mix-up occurred at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown in Nashville on Friday, August 14, 2026, during joint replacement surgeries.
- Four patients received potassium instead of standard pain drugs in what were intended to be outpatient procedures, leading to complications.
- The hospital self-reported the incident to state regulators, launched an internal investigation, and says it has implemented new safeguards.
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation after the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission reported the incident.
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