MEDFORD, Oregon – A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Oregon is under investigation for allegedly replacing medication with tap water, which resulted in the death of approximately ten patients, according to NBC5.
The hospital in Medford reportedly had several patients injected with tap water in an attempt to cover up the nurse’s misuse of fentanyl, a pain medication. It was reported that the tap water, being non-sterile, led to Pseudomonas infections, according to sources within the hospital.
Dr. Robin Miller, host of NBC’s Docs on Call, stated that tap water could cause severe infections, such as sepsis and pneumonia, and infect all the organs. This process of switching medications is known as “drug diversion,” in which about 10% of medical professionals engage. Fentanyl, the drug in question, is one of the most commonly diverted medications.
As of now, no one has been charged with a crime, and the incident is still under investigation by the police. “The Oregonian”/OregonLive confirmed that a police investigation into the incident of drug diversion is in its early stages. A spokesperson for the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center also confirmed that the issue was reported to law enforcement, though they declined to confirm the number of people affected.
In conclusion, the investigation into the alleged drug diversion incident at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Oregon is ongoing, following reports of several patients being injected with tap water instead of medication, resulting in multiple deaths.