A former nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon, Dani Marie Schofield, has been arrested and charged with 44 counts of second-degree assault for stealing fentanyl from patients and replacing it with non-sterile tap water in intravenous drips. The patients, who were already vulnerable and being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit, suffered serious infections, and unfortunately, 16 of them passed away. However, authorities did not pursue murder or manslaughter charges as they could not definitively link the infections caused by the tap water to the deaths of the patients.
The investigation into Schofield began after hospital officials noticed an increase in central line infections from July 2022 to July 2023, leading them to suspect that an employee was diverting fentanyl, resulting in adverse outcomes for patients. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid used in medical settings to manage severe pain but also contributes to the nation’s opioid overdose epidemic.
Schofield, who pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on $4 million bail, voluntarily agreed to stop practicing as a nurse and suspended her nursing license pending the outcome of the criminal case. A civil suit filed against her and the hospital by the estate of a patient who died after developing a severe infection is also pending.
The attorney representing the estate of the deceased patient, Horace Wilson, has been in contact with around four dozen former patients or their representatives who are considering legal action against Schofield. While only 15 of them were named in the indictment, more lawsuits are expected to be filed in the coming weeks.
Despite the serious nature of the crimes, prosecutors did not charge Schofield with manslaughter, as proving that she directly caused the deaths would be challenging in a criminal case where the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt. However, in civil cases, the burden of proof is lower, making it easier to establish liability.
In response to the allegations, Schofield denied any negligence or harm caused to the patients. The medical experts consulted during the investigation also could not definitively attribute the deaths to the infections caused by the contaminated IV drips, leading to the decision not to pursue more severe charges.
The case highlights the serious consequences of medical professionals abusing their positions of trust and the importance of maintaining strict protocols for handling medication in healthcare settings. It serves as a reminder of the potential dangers patients face when healthcare providers engage in criminal behavior that compromises patient safety and well-being.