$300 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Asante Alleges Negligence in Preventing Drug Diversion
ICARO Media Group
Title: $300 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Asante Alleges Negligence in Preventing Drug Diversion
A $300 million lawsuit has been filed against Asante, a medical center based in Medford, Oregon, alleging that the facility failed to follow safety protocols, ultimately leading to a nurse replacing liquid fentanyl meant for patients with tap water. The lawsuit claims that this negligence resulted in serious infections for several patients at Asante's Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Former Asante nurse, Dani Marie Schofield, is currently facing 44 counts of second-degree assault in connection with the alleged drug diversion case. Medford police have revealed that Schofield diverted patients' liquid fentanyl for her personal use and substituted it with tap water, causing harm and infections to the patients who unknowingly received the tainted medications.
Schofield was arrested earlier this summer and is currently out on bail, awaiting trial for her involvement in the criminal case. The severity of the allegations has led to a separate civil lawsuit being filed against Asante earlier this year.
The plaintiff in the $300 million lawsuit claims that Asante did not properly implement safety measures to prevent such incidents from occurring. The legal action alleges that the medical center's failure to follow established protocols allowed Schofield to access and tamper with the medication undetected.
The consequences resulting from the alleged drug diversion have caused significant harm to the affected patients, who suffered infections due to the contaminated liquid fentanyl. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for the victims' medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages, totaling $300 million.
As the legal proceedings continue, Asante is expected to face increased scrutiny regarding its safety protocols and controls to prevent drug diversion within its medical facilities. The outcome of both the criminal case against Schofield and the civil lawsuit against Asante will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the healthcare organization.
Authorities and legal representatives are working diligently to ensure due process and hold any responsible parties accountable for their actions. The safety and well-being of patients must always remain a top priority within the healthcare industry, and incidents like these highlight the importance of maintaining strict protocols to prevent drug diversion and ensure patient safety.
Asante has yet to release an official statement regarding the allegations and the pending legal action.