- A criminal investigation is underway at an Oregon hospital after multiple deaths, NBC5 News reports
- The deaths were reportedly caused by infections from tap water injections substituted for fentanyl.
An Oregon hospital is under investigation by police following reports of multiple patient deaths.
On Friday, NBC5 News revealed that the police were looking into at least one patient's death at the Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford.
Inside sources within Asante have since disclosed details surrounding the reported deaths, per NBC5 News. It is alleged that up to 10 patients died of infections contracted at the hospital.
The sources claim the infections were caused by a nurse who purportedly substituted medication with tap water.
It is alleged that the nurse was attempting to conceal the misuse of the hospital's pain medication supply — specifically fentanyl — and intensive care unit patients were injected with tap water, causing infections that resulted in fatalities.
Medford police have confirmed their active investigation into the situation at the hospital but have refrained from providing specific details.
The sources indicate that the unsterile tap water led to pseudomonas, a dangerous infection, especially for individuals in poor health, commonly found in a hospital's ICU.
Dr. Robin Miller, host of the Docs on Call program, said infections like sepsis and pneumonia were dangerous for patients already in fragile health.
To date, no one has been charged with a crime. The investigation is ongoing.
NBC5 reached out to Asante on the day of the revelation. The center declined an interview but provided a brief statement saying they were cooperating with law enforcement.
"We were distressed to learn of this issue. We reported it to law enforcement and are working closely with them," it said, per NBC5 News.
Dr. Miller said the medical malpractice reported at Asante is a "drug diversion."
According to the National Library of Medicine, "diversion" means the transfer of a controlled substance from a lawful to an unlawful channel of distribution or use.
Miller said that 10% of medical professionals engage in this malpractice, with fentanyl being one of the most commonly diverted drugs.
Tap water is especially ill-advised, as sterile alternatives should be readily available to healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety.
Alleged crimes of this nature are often subject to scrutiny by federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA.
Asante's Board Chair refrained from providing further comments to NBC5, stating it is now a police matter.
Asante did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.