Hospital drug error paralyzes new mom

updated 9:32 a.m. ET Oct. 16, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS - A hospital that gave lethal doses of a drug to three premature babies has made another medication mistake, giving a new mother a painkiller 10 times faster than intended and making her temporarily unable to walk.

Amber Baise, 18, of Indianapolis, who received the painkiller during childbirth, has regained some movement in her legs as she recovers from what Methodist Hospital on Friday called a doctor’s mistake.

“We remain hopeful that she will receive a full recovery. That is our hope. That is our commitment,” said Bill Stephan, a spokesman for Clarian Health Partners, which operates Methodist and Indiana University’s hospitals.

Baise entered Methodist on Oct. 8 to give birth to her first child and a doctor started her on an epidural. An improperly programmed pump gave her 10 hours worth of painkiller in just one hour.

Baise delivered a healthy girl.

The doctor who made the error works for an anesthesia practice that contracts with Methodist. The doctor has decades of experience and a good record, Stephan said. He did not release the doctor’s name.

Baise’s attorney, Nathaniel, said the physician’s good record was irrelevant.

“There are certain mistakes that you can’t make, that you shouldn’t make, regardless of your education, regardless of your training, and this is the kind of mistake that you shouldn’t make,” Lee said.

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