Fentanyl dominates headlines as a lethal substance that claims increasing numbers of victims with each passing year. Yet, an Oregon nurse has had her license suspended due to allegations that she killed a patient by using water rather than fentanyl. 

Former Medford, Oregon nurse Dani Marie Schofield is unable to work and has had her reputation forever harmed. This case is all too common among professionals who face grave accusations of wrongdoing. Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online if you or a loved one face license-related sanctions due to misconduct allegations. 

Oregon Nurse Alleged to Use Tainted Tap Water Rather Than Fentanyl 

Horace Earl Wilson entered Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in early 2022 after falling from a ladder and suffering a lacerated spleen, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. According to news reports, Wilson underwent a splenectomy and remained in the intensive care unit (ICU) for several days. 

Wilson's health condition progressively worsened, and medical staff ultimately determined he had a bacterial infection in his blood. This infection would become the source of controversy involving Nurse Schofield.  

Tragically, Wilson suffered worsening symptoms of treatment-resistant sepsis, enduring organ failure and ultimately choosing to be taken off life-saving support.  

The Family of the Patient Allege Nurse Schofield Poisoning Their Loved One 

Knowing that a blood infection was the primary cause of Horace Wilson's death, loved ones sought to understand what caused the infection. Their conclusion, based on a lawsuit filed against the medical center and nurse Schofield, is that Schofield used tap water rather than fentanyl in Horace Wilson's IV drip. 

There is little detail about how the family determined Schofield had replaced fentanyl with tap water. However, court documents note that Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center had numerous cases of IV-related blood infection in both 2021 and 2022. 

Nurse Has License Suspended Based on Allegations Alone 

News stories continue to report the misconduct accusations against Schofield as “alleged,” accurately so. Based on nothing more than an allegation (as far as we know), the Oregon Board of Nursing suspended Schofield's license, presumably preventing her from earning a living. 

A license suspension, even if it is temporary, can also substantially harm a nurse's reputation. Schofield will now have to prove her wrongdoing beyond a doubt, as she has been painted as guilty until proven innocent. 

If you or a loved one are facing professional sanctions, call the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to discuss how we can defend you and your license. We have experience defending a wide range of professionals in many states facing many different allegations, so don't hesitate to speak with our team.