Tennessee Surgery Center Faces Lawsuits Over Infections Linked to 2023 Procedures

At least four lawsuits have been filed in Knox County Circuit Court against Parkwest Surgery Center, a Knoxville ambulatory center. A fifth lawsuit is expected to be filed in the coming weeks.

The lawsuits allege that negligent practices led to infection outbreaks, leaving patients with severe complications and long-term medical issues after what should have been routine surgeries.

The plaintiffs claim the center failed to promptly address the infections, which they believe spread due to inadequate sanitization of surgical equipment. Among those named in the lawsuits are Knoxville resident Rick Stimac and Jefferson County resident Mary-Beth Molitor, both of whom underwent knee surgeries at Parkwest in 2023.

Instead of a smooth recovery, they faced year-long battles involving persistent infections, repeated doctor visits, and worsening complications. At one point, Molitor was advised by a specialist that she may need to get her leg amputated because of how widespread her infection had become.

Both patients report lasting physical injuries, chronic pain, and emotional distress, which have also affected their families. They each seek at least $1 million to cover ongoing medical expenses stemming from their procedures.

Reporting on the case details that shortly after their surgeries, Stimac, Molitor, and other patients received a letter from Parkwest acknowledging that some patients treated between January and May 2023 may have been exposed to Mycobacterium fortuitum, a treatable bacterial infection. The letter stated:

"We are confident that we are taking all necessary precautions to address any potential infections. Parkwest Surgery Center continues to work closely with state and local public health agencies to ensure all patients are cared for safely and to the highest standards."

Photo Source: WBIR

However, court documents allege that the center struggled to maintain proper sanitation, creating a hazardous environment. By the middle of 2023, multiple patients had developed Mycobacterium fortuitum infections post-surgery. Complaints grew so severe that an official investigation was launched on May 15, 2024, following a March 2024 commission survey that scrutinized the facility’s infection control policies and staff training protocols.

Attorneys for Parkwest argue that the center did not violate medical standards of care and deny negligence. The facility is now under new management by Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance, which took over in 2024. In a statement to Local 10 News, the Alliance shared, "Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and our dedicated physicians are committed to treating every patient as we would a member of our own family. We recognize the impact, distress, and uncertainty this situation presents to our patients and their families."

Plaintiff attorneys estimate that 12 to 15 patients were harmed by the infections. Knoxville attorney Doug Nichol, representing Molitor, explains, "There was a systemic failure at Parkwest Surgery Center that had been going on for quite some time."

Meanwhile, Chris Coffey, Stimac’s lawyer, argues the facility should have been temporarily shut down to prevent further harm. "This is a public health issue. Patients should have been warned that the center was unsafe, and surgeries should have been halted until proper sanitization was ensured. That never happened."

The lawsuits seek accountability and compensation for what plaintiffs describe as preventable suffering caused by institutional negligence.