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Drug theft a growing problem in hospitals

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After the discovery that up to 4,800 patients at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden may have been exposed to hepatitis C — and that a former nurse who was stealing morphine may have been the source — patients and hospital officials alike are asking whether more can be done to detect these cases earlier.

“I think we’re all trying to figure this out,” said Angela Dunn, a medical epidemiologist with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who is stationed with the Utah Department of Health. [Read more…]

How to Handle Pharmacy Robberies: Part 1

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The frequency of pharmacy robberies has slowly risen over the past decade or so, with a recent upsurge in these dangerous crimes. I have always said that every armed robbery is a potential homicide. I know this is not a very settling statement to make, but it is unfortunately true. The good news is that a very low percentage of pharmacy robberies result in the death or injury of a pharmacy employee or customer.

I think one of the first orders of business is to get to know your local law enforcement officers. I cannot stress the importance of doing this, as the old “squeaky wheel gets the grease” adage applies very well to the retail pharmacy. Requesting them to come to your store and conduct a security check is one of the first steps to take to become more familiar with your officers and them with you. Larger police departments will likely have an officer or officers who work in some kind of crime prevention program and are easily equipped to provide you with this service. Even the smaller departments, however, may have a designated person working the day shift who can evaluate your store and point out the positive and negative issues that either protect you or make you more vulnerable to robberies and burglaries. Regardless, reach out to your local law enforcement and open the doors of communication before a robbery or other serious pharmacy crime occurs. [Read more…]

Nurse charged with taking away patients’ painkillers

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A nurse from north Mississippi is charged with taking away patients’ prescription painkillers.

The attorney general’s office says in a news release that 27-year-oldSamantha Livingston of Senatobia was booked into the Marshall County jail Friday and released on a $5,000 bond. It was not immediately clear whether she has an attorney.

The news release says a Marshall County grand jury indicted Livingston on two counts of acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance or prescription by misrepresentation or fraud.

The indictment says Livingston was working as licensed practical nurse at a rehabilitation center in Byhalia when she signed out about 40 hydrocodone pills with acetaminophen that had been prescribed to two patients.

If convicted, she faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and $2,000 in fines.

Published by cjpost.com

Nurse arrested in drug case

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A 25-year-old nurse has been arrested for alleged possession of a controlled substance.

Attorney General Jim Hood, in a news release this week, says 25-year-oldKimberly Barrett, of Bentonia, surrendered to authorities Thursday after a Yazoo County grand jury indicted her on one count of acquiring or obtaining possession of a controlled substance or prescription by misrepresentation, fraud and the like.

At the time of the alleged crime, Barrett worked as a licensed practical nurse at a nursing home in Yazoo City. She allegedly acquired about 60 Hydrocodone pills that were prescribed for a patient of the facility.

Barrett was booked into the county jail and is awaiting bond. It was unknown if she has an attorney who could comment on the case.

Published by sfgate.com

Nurse accused of stealing prescription medication

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A nurse is accused of stealing prescription medication from a nursing home in Ladysmith.

Police say they were notified by the Ladysmith Nursing Home on August 13th that there was a possible internal theft of the drugs.

Police interviewed a female registered nurse suspected of the theft. Angela Dixon, 35, of Cornell, was arrested and taken to the Rusk County jail for possible felony drug charges.

Charges are expected to be filed by the Rusk County District Attorney’s Office.

Posted by weau.com

How BIG is the problem?

Year after year, state and local law enforcement statistics indicate that pharmaceuticals are almost 30% of the overall drug problem in the United States, running a close second only marijuana abuse. However, until recently, law enforcement, health care professionals, and the general public have placed little emphasis on this huge problem.

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Pharmaceutical Diversion Education (PDE) is designed to assist a wide range of the population in understanding the potential abuse and addiction that can be associated with prescription medication.

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