Oregon Hospital Faces $303 Million Lawsuit Over Nurse’s Alleged Fentanyl Tampering Scandal

Attorneys representing current and deceased patients of an Oregon hospital have initiated a $303 million lawsuit against the facility, following allegations that a nurse substituted prescribed fentanyl with nonsterile tap water in intravenous drips. The lawsuit accuses Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford of wrongful death and medical malpractice, citing negligence in monitoring medication administration procedures and preventing drug diversion by employees, among other claims.

Hospital's Response and Nurse's Arrest

The hospital has refrained from commenting on the lawsuit. The nurse involved, Dani Marie Schofield, formerly of the hospital's intensive care unit, was arrested in June and faces 44 counts of second-degree assault. These charges stem from a police investigation into the theft and misuse of controlled substances, resulting in patient infections. Schofield has pleaded not guilty.

The police investigation commenced in December after officials observed a concerning increase in central line infection cases among patients at the facility. An internal probe revealed that all cases involved patients in the intensive care unit, specifically those who Schofield had access to during her employment in the unit. Investigators believe she was diverting patients' prescribed liquid fentanyl for personal use. Schofield departed from her position at the hospital in July 2023 and had previously agreed to a voluntary suspension of her nursing license in November, pending the results of an investigation.

Interestingly, Schofield's name does not appear in the complaint filed on Tuesday. However, a separate suit was filed against her and the hospital earlier this year on behalf of the estate of a 65-year-old man who deceased.

Plaintiffs and Allegations

The new lawsuit involves 18 plaintiffs, including nine patients and the estates of nine deceased patients. The suit alleges that the hospital had informed them in December that an employee had replaced fentanyl with tap water, leading to bacterial infections. The complaint states, "All Plaintiff Patients were infected with a bacterium uniquely associated with waterborne transmission." Furthermore, all plaintiffs reportedly experienced mental anguish. As a result, the lawsuit seeks millions of dollars in damages to compensate for medical expenses, lost income, and the suffering of those who deceased.

The Medford police initiated their investigation late last year, prompted by hospital officials noting a troubling spike in central line infections from July 2022 to July 2023. They alerted the police, stating their belief that an employee had been diverting fentanyl. The investigation findings have played a significant role in shaping the current legal proceedings.

Challenges of Drug Theft in Hospitals

The case highlights the pressing issue of drug theft within hospitals, a longstanding problem that poses serious risks to patient safety. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid widely used in legitimate medical settings to alleviate severe pain, has also contributed to the escalating overdose epidemic across the nation. The potential diversion of such substances for personal use not only jeopardizes patients' well-being but also raises significant legal and regulatory challenges for healthcare facilities.

The outcome of this lawsuit and the parallel investigations will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the hospital, the legal framework surrounding drug administration and security within medical institutions, and the broader discourse on the responsible management of controlled substances in healthcare settings.