A US nurse accused of replacing liquid fentanyl with unsterile water is believed to have caused the deaths of nine patients at an Oregon hospital, several international media outlets have reported.
Dani Marie Scholfield, a former intensive care nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, allegedly substituted the drug for water in the IVs of 18 patients. Half of them died, CBS News reported.
Investigators believe the accused stole the drugs for personal use.
“All (affected) patients were infected with a bacterium uniquely associated with waterborne transmission,” the complaint said in a document obtained by the Canadian media outlet.
The facility was accused Tuesday of negligence by lawyers for the victims for events that occurred between July 2022 and July 2023. They are seeking $303 million (C$409 million) in compensation for medical costs and the suffering suffered by the deceased. The crime is also said to have caused mental anguish to the patients who survived.
The former intensive care nurse also faces 44 charges, including second-degree assault, CBS News reported. She was arrested last June.
The 36-year-old woman has pleaded not guilty. A trial date has not yet been set, according to Oregon Live. Mme Scholfield resigned in July 2023 and his license to practice was revoked.
