Current:Home > ContactOregon hospital hit with $303M lawsuit after a nurse is accused of replacing fentanyl with tap water -Secure Growth Academy
Oregon hospital hit with $303M lawsuit after a nurse is accused of replacing fentanyl with tap water
View
Date:2025-04-13 02:14:14
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Attorneys representing both living and deceased patients of an Oregon hospital filed a $303 million lawsuit against the facility on Tuesday after a nurse was accused of replacing prescribed fentanyl with nonsterile tap water in intravenous drips.
The wrongful death and medical malpractice complaint accuses Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford of negligence. The suit says the hospital failed to monitor medication administration procedures and prevent drug diversion by their employees, among other claims.
A spokesperson said the hospital had no comment.
Dani Marie Schofield, a former nurse at the hospital, was arrested in June and charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault. The charges stemmed from a police investigation into the theft and misuse of controlled substances that resulted in patient infections. She has pleaded not guilty.
Schofield is not named or listed as a defendant in the complaint filed Tuesday. A separate suit was filed against Schofield and the hospital earlier this year on behalf of the estate of a 65-year-old man who died.
The 18 plaintiffs in the new suit include nine patients and the estates of nine patients who died. According to the suit, the hospital began informing them in December that an employee had replaced fentanyl with tap water, causing bacterial infections.
“All Plaintiff Patients were infected with bacterium uniquely associated with waterborne transmission,” the complaint says.
All of the plaintiffs experienced mental anguish, according to the suit, which seeks millions of dollars in damages for medical expenses, lost income and the pain and suffering of those who died.
Medford police began investigating late last year, after hospital officials noticed a troubling spike in central line infections from July 2022 through July 2023 and told police they believed an employee had been diverting fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that has helped fuel the nation’s overdose epidemic, but it is also used in legitimate medical settings to relieve severe pain. Drug theft from hospitals is a longstanding problem.
veryGood! (51579)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Anthony Edwards is a 'work in progress,' coach says. What we know about text fiasco
- Morant’s 34 points in stirring season debut lead Grizzlies to 115-113 win over Pelicans
- 5 people crushed after SUV topples over doing donuts in Colorado Springs, driver charged
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- MLB mock draft 2024: Who will Cleveland Guardians take with No. 1 overall pick?
- Nevada high court upholds sex abuse charges against ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse
- UCLA gymnast Chae Campbell hits viral floor routine inspired by Wakanda in 'Black Panther'
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- What we know about Texas’ new law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Judge blocks removal of Confederate memorial from Arlington Cemetery, for now
- Victoria Beckham's Intimate Video of David Beckham's Workout Will Make You Sweat
- Groups sue over new Texas law that lets police arrest migrants who enter the US illegally
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Teens struggle to identify misinformation about Israel-Hamas conflict — the world's second social media war
- 'Maestro' hits some discordant notes
- Defense secretary to hold meeting on reckless, dangerous attacks by Houthis on commercial ships in Red Sea
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
Poland’s new government appoints new chiefs for intelligence, security and anti-corruption agencies
Zac Efron and Lily James on the simple gesture that frames the tragedy of the Von Erich wrestlers
13,000 people watched a chair fall in New Jersey: Why this story has legs (or used to)
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Pistons are woefully bad. Their rebuild is failing, their future looks bleak. What gives?
Coal miners lead paleontologists to partial mammoth fossil in North Dakota
Minnesota panel chooses new state flag featuring North Star to replace old flag seen as racist