MEDFORD, Oregon – A nurse at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Oregon is under investigation for allegedly swapping medication with tap water, leading to the deaths of approximately ten patients.
According to sources, the nurse injected patients with tap water to cover up the misuse of fentanyl, a powerful pain medication. The non-sterile tap water allegedly resulted in Pseudomonas infections. Dr. Robin Miller, a medical expert, warned that tap water can cause severe infections such as sepsis and pneumonia.
The practice of switching medications, known as “drug diversion,” is not uncommon among medical professionals, with about 10% engaging in it. Fentanyl is among the most commonly diverted drugs.
As of now, no one has been charged with a crime, and law enforcement is conducting an investigation into the incident. Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center has reported the issue to authorities, but the number of affected individuals has not been confirmed.
The hospital’s spokesperson declined to confirm the number of deaths or impacted individuals, but The Oregonian confirmed that a police investigation into the incident is in its early stages.