Methods of Diverting Prescribed Narcotic Painkillers
Approximately 400 Billion Won in Compensation Lawsuit Filed
A nurse in the United States injected tap water instead of painkillers into patients, resulting in the deaths of nine patients.
On the 7th (local time), foreign media including the AP reported that Dani Marie Schofield, a nurse working at a hospital in Medford, Oregon, was arrested on 44 counts of second-degree assault. Earlier, a hospital official became suspicious after patients whose conditions worsened or who died were found to be infected with bacteria related to waterborne diseases (infectious diseases caused by pathogens transmitted through water) and reported it to the police. During the investigation into the misuse of the patients' contaminated regulated drugs, the police discovered evidence implicating Schofield.
Investigations confirmed that Schofield diverted prescribed narcotic painkillers and injected patients with non-sterile tap water. However, Schofield currently denies the charges. Regarding this, foreign media pointed out that "drug theft in hospitals is a chronic problem."
The plaintiffs, consisting of bereaved families and others, filed a lawsuit against the hospital seeking $303 million (approximately 405.8 billion KRW). The plaintiffs claimed, "The hospital failed to monitor the drug administration procedures, allowing staff to divert drugs," and argued that the hospital should pay millions of dollars in damages for medical expenses, lost income, and the mental suffering of the deceased and their families.
The hospital has reportedly not issued a statement regarding the incident.
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