An Oregon law firm is reviewing 58 cases involving claims of infection at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, 34 of which involve wrongful death, according to a March 5 report from ABC affiliate KDRV.
David deVilleneuve of Schlesinger & deVilleneuve law firm told the news outlet he expects to file lawsuits this month for clients with claims regarding harm or death from infections contracted while at the hospital. Mr. deVilleneuve told KDRV there are commonalities in cases the firm is reviewing that demonstrate potential for civil filings, such as infections occurring in the hospital's ICU.
Earlier this year, Medford police confirmed they are investigating claims of medication theft and concerns of adverse patient care at Asante Rogue Regional. The investigation involves allegations from sources at the hospital who say several patient deaths may be tied to a nurse who had been taking fentanyl from IV bags and replacing it with unsterile tap water, which they allege led to severe infections and multiple patient deaths.
On Feb. 26, the estate of a man who died at the hospital in February 2022 filed an $11.5 million lawsuit against the health system and a former nurse, alleging the nurse's drug diversion led to a fatal infection. Justin Idiart, the lawyer representing the estate of the patient in that case, told news outlets he is representing nine clients whose medication was swapped, including family members of those who died and patients who survived.
Neither officials at Asante nor the police have confirmed the number of patients who may have been affected.
"No one has been charged with a crime as a result of this investigation," Lt. Geoffrey Kirkpatrick of the Medford Police Department told The Oregonian in a Feb. 26 report. "We are meticulously reviewing thousands of documents, including medical records, which require thorough examination and consultation with experts in the medical field."
Asante shared the following statement with Becker's when news of the probe broke in January: "We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working with them closely."