MINNEAPOLIS -- As a weeklong strike nears its end, nurses with five Allina hospitals have lodged complaints alleging problems with replacement nurses.

The Minnesota Nurses Association alleged Friday that one patient died during a medication error. Other allegations deal with poor disposal of needles.

Allina officials said all the allegations that were investigated turned out to be false.

Allina spokesman David Kanihan criticized the union for publicizing the complaints during the strike.  Kanihan says the nurses wanted to make Allina look bad.

The strike started June 19 after Allina and its nurses failed to reach a new three-year contract. The cost of nurses' health insurance is a major stumbling block. Striking nurses are expected to return to work Sunday.

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