Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Oregon, is under scrutiny due to a criminal investigation, OSHA investigation, and lawsuit stemming from water-based infections and deaths on its premises.
Since late 2022, the hospital has experienced a surge in central line-associated bloodstream infections, primarily affecting patients in the intensive care and coronary care units located in an older section of the facility. Concerns about water quality at Asante arose in response to the spike in infections, though the hospital initially denied any present issues with water quality.
According to Oregon Health Authority data, there were 15 central line infections in 2022 and 14 in 2023 at Asante, double the previous recent high of seven in 2020. OSHA began investigating the hospital’s water supply in the spring of 2023 after tap water from the ICU and CCU at Asante was found to likely contain harmful bacteria.
The first of several lawsuits has been filed against Asante, with an $11.5 million wrongful death suit brought by the estate of a 65-year-old patient who passed away at the hospital in 2022. Allegations suggest that multiple patients received tap water through their IV lines, possibly leading to their deaths. Families of affected patients are considering filing charges of wrongful death against Asante for incidents involving a nurse who used tap water to replace medications.
In November 2023, the nurse in question agreed to a voluntary license suspension, and Asante reported a former employee to the Medford police for allegedly stealing opioid pain medication and replacing it with tap water. However, no charges have yet been filed against the nurse.
Multiple families impacted by the water-based infections at Asante are now working with a legal firm, Schlesinger & deVilleneuve, with over 50 cases involving 34 wrongful death claims. The firm highlighted the hospital’s acknowledgment of drug diversion and tap water being introduced into IVs, potentially affecting a specific group of patients.
Substance use disorder among healthcare professionals, including nurses, is a documented concern, with about 10% estimated to have a substance use disorder. The Joint Commission has cautioned against drug diversion in healthcare facilities, emphasizing the importance of early detection systems and staff education to prevent and address medication misuse.