Nurse Arrested for Alleged Asante Drug Diversion and Patient Infections

Medford, Oregon– On June 13, at approximately 12:30 PM, the Medford Police Department (MPD) apprehended Dani Marie Schofield, 36, following an extensive investigation into allegations of drug diversion affecting patient health at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The arrest occurred in the 5000-block of Rogue River Drive.

The investigation, spanning seven months, commenced in December 2023 after concerns raised by Asante officials regarding a spike in central line infections among patients in their Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Asante’s internal probe, supported by external medical experts, pinpointed a specific timeframe and identified Schofield, a former ICU nurse, with access to all affected patients.

Investigators focused on allegations that Schofield had diverted liquid fentanyl intended for patients, substituting it with tap water. This substitution allegedly led to serious infections in multiple ICU patients. Schofield departed Asante in July 2023.

MPD dedicated significant resources to the investigation, involving multiple detectives who sifted through extensive hospital records and conducted nearly 100 interviews with medical personnel, patients, and other affected individuals.

The culmination of the investigation saw MPD presenting its findings to the Jackson County District Attorney’s office. On June 12, 2024, a Grand Jury convened and subsequently indicted Schofield on 44 counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree under Measure 11. This charge reflects the investigation’s determination that Schofield’s actions resulted in serious physical injury to affected patients between July 2022 and July 2023.

Here is the full media release from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office:

Acknowledging public interest, MPD consulted medical experts who concluded that although associated deaths were observed, they could not definitively link them to the infections in question.

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families who have been impacted by this case” stated MPD.