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

(Page 6 of 37) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. No 6 by thats true, you're crazy making such a judgemental broad statement putting all the nurses in one category. For your information, not that this excuses what happens, but I can bet you that nurse had an over load of patients, something you know nothing about until you become a nurse and try to do the job. If you really want to help, get involve with the safe staffing bill, the ration between nurses and patients, and mistakes like these will not exist, because the nurse who is rushing, will stop and read the medicine, the correct medicine that was suppose to be in that place, but technician, like all of us make mistakes. You have no business saying nurses only care about their personal lives, nurses are nurses because they care for people. I would love to know what you do for a job. Support our nurses, there is a shortage. This wasn't deliberate, it was an accident and I pray for all involved.

Posted at 2:37PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Janet Conran

77. God bless you and your wife..I hope your babies will be okay.Pray lots-we will give the surregate our hopes as well

Posted at 2:38PM on Nov 20th 2007 by debbie

78. When will hospitals get things right. Anticoagulants (blood thinners) like Heparin are extremely dangerous in the wrong dosages. Better safe guards are needed. My best to the Quaids during this tremendous emotional time.

Posted at 2:38PM on Nov 20th 2007 by elaine

79. Firstly, can I say that this is a horrible accident, and should not happen.... ever. Obviously there was a huge oversight somewhere along the line, and it is very possible a number of mistakes along the line contributed to this tragedy.

BUT can I also say, as a student nurse myself, not all nurses just care about their personal lives / paychecks as has been said on here... I would hazard to say that most CARE, otherwise we CERTAINLY wouldn't cope with most of the crap / assaults / pay that we deal with on a DAILY basis. Cut them some slack.

I hope the kids pull through.

Posted at 2:38PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Laura

80. I hope the babies will be fine, and that nurse on probation or something. It shows you should always read the label before picking up medicine or anything of its relation. But that nurse should have know that 10,000 units isn't right for a baby. I wonder is he/she just started? They better hope they survive, and for the parents stake I hope so too.

Posted at 2:45PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Sada

81. Pray for the family and the babies

Pray for those that are focusing on negative attention

May God Bless you all and soften your hearts

Posted at 2:42PM on Nov 20th 2007 by pray

82. Wow, this story convinces me even more that a large amount of nurses out there don't pay attention to what the hell they're doing. Often, they want to make small talk instead of doing their job.It's scary seeing how careless many of the people in the medical profession are becoming. I hope Quaid's twins pull through.

Posted at 2:44PM on Nov 20th 2007 by lawsuit

83. catindy23--You can't even spell. God help your patients! No wonder you all kill more and more people!

Posted at 2:51PM on Nov 20th 2007 by hmmm

84. This is so sad!!! It makes me angry too.

Doctors and nurses that make this type of mistake should be prosecuted for negligence. They have a responsibility to check each dose of medicine they administer. There is no excuse for this type of mistake because it is completely preventable.

I pray (in Jesus name) for the twins complete and speedy recovery. amen

Posted at 2:44PM on Nov 20th 2007 by stephanie

85. THAT DAMN FRIGGIN NURSE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE LABEL......THE RESPONSIBILITY LIES ON THE NURSE AND HER ONLY!!!!!!!!!! HER LICENSE TO PRACTICE NEEDS TO BE REVOKED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 2:44PM on Nov 20th 2007 by whoop

86. In response to this comment:

"Nurses and Doctors nowadays only care about a paycheck. They have no real regard for human life. I hope they all lose their jobs, and go to prison!"
Posted at 2:00PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Bam Bam

As a person who is about to graduate from nursing school and enter the nursing profession, I find it incredibly ignorant of someone to make a comment like that. Most people who enter the nursing profession are not "after a paycheck" and "have no regard for human life." Those of us who want to become nurses or already are, are in this profession because caring for someone who is sick or saving someones life is an extremely rewarding experience. What happened with these babies is an incredibly sad story and this particular nurse made a horrible mistake which these babies are now paying the price for. From the first day of nursing school, the first thing they teach us is to check that you're adminstering medication to the right patient, ensuring its the right dose, the right medication, the right time, and through the right route. Clearly this nurse did not check these things before administering the medication. It's an unfortunate situation and my thoughts and prayers go out to the babies and their family.

Posted at 2:49PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Melanie

87. Nurses are taught the 5 rights to administering drugs......right dose, right patient, right time, right route, right med. STUPID !!!!

Posted at 2:44PM on Nov 20th 2007 by whoop

88. This is such a horrible situation! I read in the story that the tech had put the Heparin in the wrong place? As far as the babies getting the wrong dosage, that is absolutely on the nurse! You are ALWAYS to check medication TWICE before administering it....You NEVER EVER just "assume" it's the correct medication and or dosage...May God be with these babies...

Posted at 2:45PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Nurse in Texas

89. Dennis, May God Almighty bless those tiny babies.

Posted at 4:57PM on Dec 4th 2007 by donnasueq

90. I sure hope the babies pull through. Meanwhile fire that damn nurse !!!!

Posted at 2:51PM on Nov 20th 2007 by whoop

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