A hospital in Nashville is under investigation after a drug mix-up during surgeries on August 14 caused complications for four patients who received potassium instead of pain medication. The hospital's president, Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, reported the incident to state regulators and launched an internal investigation, but did not specify the cause of the error or the corrective measures being taken. According to Dr. Jagasia, clinical teams are using "enhanced safety protocols" to ensure patient safety, but specific details about the affected patients will not be shared. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is also actively investigating the incident after being alerted by state regulators.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
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Story summary
A drug mix-up occurred on August 14 at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, where four patients received doses of potassium instead of standard pain medication during routine joint replacement surgeries. The error happened during outpatient procedures, and all patients were supposed to be discharged the same day. The cause of the mix-up is unclear, but four patients experienced complications as a result. Hospital president and CEO Dr. Shubhada Jagasia said the hospital self-reported the incident and launched an investigation, but did not provide details on what went wrong or the safeguards being put in place to prevent future errors. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is also investigating the incident.
Written for “Nashville Hospital Medication Error” on 2026-08-31,
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No political leaning scored for article 1894 · logged 2026-08-28
Tennessee authorities are investigating after a drug mix-up at a Nashville hospital caused patients to experience complications during what should have been routine surgeries.
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what → investigate → complications
The error occurred at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown on Friday, Aug. 14.
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error → occur → Friday
CBS affiliate WTVF reported that four patients had received doses of potassium instead of standard pain drugs while undergoing joint replacement operations.
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patients → report → operations
All of the operations were supposed to be outpatient procedures, WTVF reported.
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WTVF → suppose → operations
It's not clear how the medications became mixed up.
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medications → mix → ?
Dr. Shubhada Jagasia, the hospital president and CEO, said in a statement that the facility became aware of the "event" the day it occurred.
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it → say → event
Jagasia said the hospital self-reported to state regulators and launched an investigation.
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hospital → say → investigation
"We identified the cause and have implemented corrective safeguards," Jagasia said.
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Jagasia → identify → safeguards
Jagasia did not specify what the cause of the error was or which safeguards were being put in place, but said clinical teams are "actively using these enhanced safety protocols to ensure the highest level of safety" at the facility.
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teams → specify → facility
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation told CBS News it is actively investigating the mix-up after the Tennessee Healthcare Facilities Commission alerted it to the incident.
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Commission → tell → incident
Jagasia said hospital staff have met with the families of the impacted patients.
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staff → say → patients
Jagasia said the hospital would not share "specific clinical details" about the affected patients.
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hospital → say → patients
Potassium has a number of uses in hospitals.
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Potassium → have → hospitals
Potassium itself is an essential mineral and electrolyte that the body needs to maintain a certain level of to function.
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body → need → level
Potassium citrate can be used to treat kidney stones.
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citrate → use → stones
Potassium chloride can support heart and nerve function.
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chloride → support → function
However, too much potassium can be dangerous: High doses of potassium chloride are used in executions.
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doses → use → executions
