Medford Police confirmed Wednesday that they are investigating allegations that a former employee at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center stole controlled substances that were prescribed to patients, which “resulted in adverse patient care.”

The investigation, which the FBI is now aware of, covers the death of at least one patient after the employee allegedly replaced pain medication with nonsterile tap water. The Rogue Valley Times first reported on the death investigation Sunday.

Police launched the investigation after being contacted by Asante officials in early December regarding a patient death.

According to FBI public affairs specialist Joy Jiras, who is based in the Portland field office, Medford Police are the lead agency on the investigation.

Medford Police Lt. Geoff Kirkpatrick said Wednesday in a news release that police had been contacted by numerous individuals asking if they or a family member might have been impacted by the “suspected actions of the former Asante employee.”

“We would like to acknowledge the community’s concern with this case and ask for patience and understanding as this investigation is complex and ongoing,” Kirkpatrick said. “At this time, we are not releasing any further information and we will provide updates as we are able.”

Kirkpatrick said Asante officials had informed police that they have identified the involved patients and have notified or are in the process of notifying them or their families.

Contacted Wednesday, hospital officials declined to comment on any updates.

Two families who said they had been contacted by Asante about the situation have told the Rogue Valley Times their relatives allegedly have died as a result of the former employee’s actions.

Grants Pass resident Garrett Atwood received a phone call Dec. 18 in which he learned that his brother’s death — more than a year ago on Nov. 11, 2022 — was allegedly caused by a central-line infection, resulting from a hospital nurse replacing fentanyl with nonsterile tap water, he said.

Klamath Falls resident Diane Rogers said she was notified by Asante officials Nov. 24 that the July 26 death of her husband, 74-year-old Barry Samsten, had been caused by a bacterial infection after fentanyl was replaced with nonsterile tap water.