Dennis Quaid's Newborn Twins in Medical Nightmare

TMZ has learned that Dennis Quaid's newborn twins are fighting for their lives after being inadvertently overdosed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Sources tell us the twins -- Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace -- were accidentally given a massive dose of Heparin, an anti-coagulant. Babies typically get 10 units. Our sources say they were each mistakenly given 10,000 units. The drug is used to flush out IV lines and prevent blood clots. We're told one dose was given on Sunday morning, another on Sunday evening.

We're told late Sunday night, both babies started to "bleed out." Both babies are now at Cedars in the neo-natal intensive care unit where we're told they are stable.

The twins were born to Quaid and wife Kimberly Buffington November 8 via surrogate.

A rep for Quaid did not immediately return our call for comment and there was no immediate comment from Cedars.

We're told a technician stored the Heparin in the wrong place, and when a nurse grabbed the medicine for the babies without looking -- it was the wrong dosage.

A source says the babies are now being given Protamine, which reverses the effects of Heparin.

UPDATE: We're told as many as thirteen patients at Cedars were mistakenly given the overdose of Heparin, but the effects are more critical because of the age and weight of the twins.

Story developing ...

Reader Comments

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46. The first thing you are taught in pharmaceutical class when attending nursing school, is to check the name, dosage, and frequency of the medication you are about to administer to a patient. The nurse should be fired and lose her license. I am so tired of people not doing their jobs correctly, especially when it involves human life.

Posted at 2:09PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Judy

47. OH MY GOD! This is horrible to say the least! Hope that nurse is fired along with the tech for making this serious of a mistake! My prayers go to the family and for the babies.

Posted at 2:09PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Sherry

48. wow, one of the most horrible stories I've seen in a while in relation to TMZ. People lose parents, people lose friends...no one should outlive their children...twins, what a blessing, sorry to hear this one. I hope they make it, ill be praying for them.

Posted at 2:12PM on Nov 20th 2007 by ms wonderland

49. It's so easy to sit back and judge the mistakes of others. Don't judge healthcare workers until you've tried to do the work. Nurses are human, just like you, and capable of mistakes. It's wrong to say all nurses are more interested in their personal conversations. You can't summarize everyone based on observation of just a few.

Posted at 4:57PM on Nov 20th 2007 by skyrn

50. I've been a fan of Dennis Quaid for years. Seems like a nice guy ...just does his work and goes home and lives his life . No real controversey. I was just thinking the other day about how cool...here he and his wife have these these beautiful new babies. Feeding them, changing diapers and watching them sleep. Thanksgiving almost here and then the holidays. All these firsts. I feel devistated for the family . My prayers that these beautiful little babies will be healed.

Posted at 2:22PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Linda

51. If the nurse assigned to the twins would have followed protocol this mistake would not have happened. It takes two nurses to administer Heparin both are to check the order and both are to check the dosage on the vial that is to be administered. The nurse should be pulled from the floor and no longer allowed to take care of patients. Granted mistakes happen, but it only takes a few extra seconds to follow protocol and protocol was created for a reason...checks and balances....very sad this nurse felt that she was so experienced that she didn't feel the need to have a second nurse check the order with her...no one is that experienced and thing are always placed in the wrong place in the hospital that is why one must always read the label....

Posted at 2:17PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Nurse_Ratchet

52. wow, what a tragic mistake. I sure hope those babies pull through without any lasting side effects. 10-10,000 big mistake that happened to 13 patients? sad.

Posted at 2:17PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Adrienne

53. idiots that cause mistakes and death like this is why medical reform is doomed its because of the stupidity that must be insured.
i hope the kids and dennis make it through this and without the press

Posted at 2:18PM on Nov 20th 2007 by mike

54. Oh oh! Problems at the start.

I pray for the new borns" for their quick recovery. Let's hope no long term damaged had happened.

The technician should be fired. The same for the nurse for not reading the label or not paying attention to the label on the medicine.

Dennis quaid and his wife should suit the hospital.

Posted at 2:19PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Rollando

55. Jennifer, that's just cold

Posted at 2:19PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Adrienne

56. Re: This is a common mistake due to similar labels.
Note to Pharm. Co: FIX THE SIMILAR LABEL PROBLEM! good grief. Maybe they'll take care of it now.

Posted at 2:23PM on Nov 20th 2007 by par take

57. God bless the whole family....I wish them all the best and a speedy recovery!

Posted at 4:07PM on Nov 20th 2007 by just my input

58. PAGING DOCTOR ADAMS.....DR ADAMS YOU ARE NEEDED BACK IN THE BABY UNIT FOR QUESTIONING.....

Posted at 2:20PM on Nov 20th 2007 by oops!

59. He was a really famous actor back in the 80's. I hope he sues their pants off! What a mean trick to play on a couple of babies...

Posted at 2:33PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Lefty

60. Ugh.. .Jennifer.Bush... Should have known with that last name that you were clueless...
a)Meg Ryan cheated on Dennis with Russel Crowe. She broke up her marriage for him...
b) Wishing him ill to the point where HIS BABIES COULD DIE is appalling.
c) with thoughts like that you better watch out, because Karma is a bitch!

Posted at 2:22PM on Nov 20th 2007 by just saying

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