A $303 million lawsuit has been filed against Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon, following the arrest of former nurse Dani Marie Schofield for replacing prescribed fentanyl with nonsterile tap water in intravenous drips. The lawsuit accuses the hospital of negligence in failing to monitor medication administration procedures and prevent drug diversion by employees. Schofield, who faces 44 counts of second-degree assault, has pleaded not guilty and is not named in the current complaint. The 18 plaintiffs in the lawsuit include both living patients and the estates of deceased patients who suffered bacterial infections as a result of the tap water substitutions.
The complaint alleges that all plaintiff patients were infected with bacteria associated with waterborne transmission due to the actions of the hospital employee. The infections caused mental anguish for the plaintiffs, who are seeking millions of dollars in damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Medford police launched an investigation in response to a spike in central line infections at the hospital, leading officials to suspect an employee was diverting fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid commonly used in medical settings but also a target for drug theft, contributing to the nation’s overdose epidemic.
Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center has declined to comment on the lawsuit. The allegations of medication tampering and resulting patient infections have raised concerns about patient safety and hospital oversight. The lawsuit highlights the importance of monitoring medication administration procedures and preventing drug diversion in healthcare facilities to protect patients from harm. The incident involving tap water replacing fentanyl underscores the serious consequences of such actions and the need for accountability in ensuring the proper handling of controlled substances in medical settings.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include a mix of living patients who suffered infections and deceased patients whose estates are seeking justice for their losses. The tragic outcomes stemming from the medication tampering demonstrate the potential risks and harm caused by such actions in healthcare settings. The case has brought attention to the need for rigorous protocols and oversight to safeguard patients from medication errors and intentional tampering that can have devastating consequences. The legal action seeks to hold the hospital accountable for the alleged negligence that led to the infections and resulting damages for patients and their families.
The criminal charges against the former nurse, Dani Marie Schofield, and the civil lawsuit against the hospital have shed light on the challenges of preventing drug diversion and ensuring the safe administration of medications in healthcare settings. The incidents at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center have prompted a closer look at security measures and protocols for handling controlled substances to prevent similar incidents in the future. The lawsuits serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict controls and monitoring procedures to protect patients from harm and uphold the standards of care in healthcare facilities.
