Officials are Tight-Lipped as Investigations Continue into the Asante Fentanyl Hospital deaths in Medford
MEDFORD, Ore. — Officials remain tight-lipped about developments in the Asante Hospital fentanyl death scandal which led to a CEO of the medical group being escorted from the premises under the watchful eyes of three security guards, a fact confirmed by NewsWatch 12.
UPDATE: Medford Nurse Indicted & Arrested In Asante Drug Diversion Investigation
Jackson County District Attorney Office Will Not be Releasing Further Facts About the Investigation
A statement released by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office confirms that it will not be releasing further facts about the investigation “given the ongoing nature” of the case and potential future pending criminal charges. The case revolves around allegations that a former nurse from the Medford Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center diverted fentanyl intended for patients with tap water, causing deadly infections.
The Chief Deputy District Attorney of the Jackson County District Attorney Office, Patrick Green, has assured the community that he will work hard “to review the results of the investigation expeditiously.” Green has confirmed receiving thousands of pages of documents from the Medford Police Department (MPD) following their investigation.
Green says he shared the community’s concern and will “ensure that it remains a top priority going forward,” said Green in a statement. He described the Asante fentanyl investigation as “expansive,” adding that he will remain as the lead prosecutor if charges are filed. The Chief Deputy DA says he will appoint two additional senior prosecutors as co-counsel.
Green thanked the MPD for their diligence and meticulous work.
The Asante fentanyl scandal involves a nurse who allegedly exchanged the drug with tap water which was fed intravenously to patients in the ICU. The IV infusion is known as a central line-associated bloodstream infection, or CLABSI. An unknown number of patients died.
Asante Sued $11.5 million in Wrongful Death Claim
Meanwhile, in another related development, a wrongful death suit has been filed against the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for $11.5 million in damages for pain and suffering on behalf of Horace Wilson (65), who died after an alleged fentanyl diversion. His estate is suing the hospital and nurse Dani Marie Schofield who last November told the Oregon Board of Nursing that she would discontinue nursing until investigations into the case have been completed.
Wilson was admitted to the Rogue Medical Center in January 2022 and was recovering from a splenectomy after falling from a ladder. Nurse Schofield recorded administering fentanyl to Wilson through infusion. His health deteriorated and, by early February, Wilson’s blood cultures tested positive for bacteria. Records show that sepsis resulted in Wilson experiencing organ failure. He lived in Jackson County and died later that month.
An internal report from the Asante Medical Center revealed that the hospital recorded three CLABCI in 2021 but this spiked to 10 cases during the last four months of 2022. Another four CLABCI cases were recorded in the first two months of 2023. Most of the infections originated in the Intensive Care Unit.
Overview
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