Minneapolis Hospital Mistakenly Gives Surgery Patient Paralyzing Anesthetic

Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis mistakenly gave a surgery patient an anesthesia medicine that causes paralysis, though the patient was unharmed in the incident after being converted to a different anesthetic, according to a Twin Cities report.

The Minnesota Department of Health released a report Tuesday saying the patient was unharmed after being treated with a different anesthetic. However, the patient said she was conscious and aware when the paralytic was administered.

Investigators stated in the report that "the allegation that [the patient] was not provided anesthesia services in a safe, organized manner when she was given the wrong medication … is substantiated." The report also emphasized that the facility has taken corrective action, including immediately giving the patient the correct medication and then investigating the cause of the problem.

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