In Medford, Oregon, a lawsuit has been filed against Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center and nurse Dani Marie Schofield, following the death of a patient, Horace Wilson, who succumbed to a bacterial infection after his pain medication was allegedly replaced with tap water. 

The incident, which took place in January 2022, has led to an $11.5 million wrongful death lawsuit and sparked a police investigation into drug theft and misuse at the hospital.

Wilson was initially admitted to the hospital after suffering a fall that resulted in a lacerated spleen and broken ribs. During his recovery in the intensive care unit, his condition abruptly worsened, marked by unexplained high fevers and a rapid increase in white blood cell counts. Blood cultures revealed the presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis, a type of bacteria typically not harmful on the skin but dangerous when introduced into the bloodstream, which the lawsuit alleges came from non-sterile tap water used in place of prescribed medication.

The complaint accuses Schofield of recording the administration of fentanyl, a powerful painkiller, to Wilson, when she had allegedly used tap water instead. This action not only breached the standard of care but also exposed Wilson to serious risk, culminating in multisystem organ failure. Despite initial signs of recovery, Wilson expressed a desire to cease living due to the deteriorated quality of life, leading to his death on February 25, 2022.

Schofield, whose nursing license was voluntarily suspended in November pending investigation, has not responded to requests for comment. Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center, a 378-bed facility, also did not reply to inquiries but previously informed the media of their cooperation with law enforcement and their distress upon learning of the issue.

This lawsuit represents the first legal action taken since the Medford Police Department confirmed its investigation into allegations of drug theft at the hospital. Details of the case emerged in December, when local media reported on the potential drug diversion incidents at Asante, raising concerns about the safety and integrity of patient care practices.

In addition to the specifics of Wilson’s case, the lawsuit touches on a broader issue of drug diversion in healthcare settings, where prescribed medications are misappropriated, sometimes for abuse or illegal distribution. Such actions not only undermine the trust between healthcare providers and patients but also pose significant risks to patient safety.

The Medford Police Department has been actively working on the case since December 2023, conducting numerous interviews and reviewing thousands of documents, including medical records, to understand the scope of the alleged drug theft and misuse. Although no charges have been filed yet, the ongoing investigation aims to ascertain the full extent of the wrongdoing and its impact on patients.

According to various hospital sources, up to ten patients may have died due to infections related to this incident.

Other victims were Samuel Allison, 36, who succumbed to an infection after treatment for liver failure, and Barry Samsten, 74, who suffered a similar fate.