Concord Monitor. Posted in Registered Nurses THE PROBLEM OF FALSE AND MISLEADING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS Virtually every healthcare practitioner has seen a colleague fired or disciplined after being accused of diverting drugs or misusing their prescription pad. If a facility loses its DEA registration, it cannot dispense controlled substances. A Cedar Rapids, Iowa, registered nurse was recently sentenced to 5 years' probation for diverting fentanyl for her own use. Cichon cautions that some hospitals hoping to avoid bad press and DEA scrutiny may look for loopholes. If you did divert, only you can decide if the BRNs Diversion or Intervention is right for you. This complaint / report initiates a disciplinary investigation. The scope and frequency of drug diversion is almost impossible to grasp, due in large part to how diversion cases are addressed. This study guide will help you focus your time on what's most important. Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac. Phillip Jensen, 61, was arrested Monday on eight counts of drug diversion, eight counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products, and three . Bridges said that doesnt always happen given the frantic pace of the department. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. //var LBtag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkLBBridgesTestimony-CM-051916,ph02'); When they call that means that you are in trouble. Has 13 years experience. Murphy, who worked for the DEA for 25 years, now helps companies follow mandates he calls vague and difficult to interpret. For example, DEA requires anyone carrying controlled substances to report the theft or significant loss of any controlled substance within one business day of discovery., This hospital had 13 vials of morphine that went missing and someone called me in to find out why, Hayes says. Please spend some time reading the Diversion section of the blog, for more information. Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2882 The DEA doesnt regulate the personnelthats up to the state and the facility. Illinois dentist accused of diverting patients' anesthesia drug for personal use Phillip Jensen, 61, was arrested Monday on eight counts of drug diversion, eight counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, one count of tampering with consumer products, and three counts of false statements related to health care matters. Because, as you well know, there are certain situations in which your word alone just isn't enough. Once a drug is outside of the closed loop, when it gets dispensed from a pharmacy or administered by a doctor, its no longer in the purview of DEA rules and regulations, he explains. We successfully negotiated an arrangement to permit immediate reinstatement of the RNs license following assessment by a mental health professional deeming our client safe with probation. There is much more on these accusations in the blog, make sure to familiarize yourself with what these terms mean and what the outcome can be. allnurses is a Nursing Career & Support site for Nurses and Students. Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development, Freelance Writer. There is too much at stake to try to represent yourself. Controlled substance management is dictated by a number of laws, including the U.S. Theres a lot of people investigators really suspected were diverters but had to be chalked up to sloppy practice due to a lack of concrete evidence, so any statistic is talking about known diverters who are fired for diversion, she tellsSecurity Management. Clearly it wasn't a one time incident either. If you are diverting medication you need to get help. Disclaimer:This information is a sample of our past results. Depending on the diverters role, state accreditation boardssuch as those that license nurses and pharmacistswould be notified and could potentially conduct their own investigations. I agree that she needs to stop doing what she got flagged for. Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical. Because of this, diversion shouldnt be considered just a security concern but a patient safety concern, Cichon says. Do not pocket or store anymore drugs in anticipation of needing them later. Do not pocket or store anymore drugs in anticipation of needing them later. We give them CEUs of classes on charting. If your employer believes that you were stealing medication especially if it was pharmaceutical meds, of course you can be fired for that - or any lawful reason. I am so upset that this is happening. You have nothing to hide, so don't hide yourself. These investigators are police officers with all the rights and abilities of police officers to conduct an investigation. Prospective clients may not obtain the same or similar results. I think the combination is almost deadly.. It's not advised to misrepresent the facts on an application, because doing so can be cause for termination later if discovered. HR continues to harras me and even mention that my director could have given me a heads up 2 hours before I was to report in for a meeting in which I knew nothing about. Lady Luck (Colorado Mountain, #3) by. Find out your top seven security news stories, delivered to your inbox weekly, and powered by ASIS International. 1700 Glendale, CA 91203 | 1-818-501-8600Copyright 2010-2012 Spiga & Associates. Choosing a specialty can be a daunting task and we made it easier. Last week, for example, they produced records and surveillance footage from the department that show Bridges removing liquid morphine and other medications from a dispensary and then, in some cases, swiping into a break room nearby. Just follow policy. Healthcare workers are not immune to the draw of opioids. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Student Nurse Applicants with Past Convictions, Petition for Nursing License Reinstatement, Please spend some time reading the Diversion section of the blog, for more information. Hospitals routinely selectively enforce the rule against high paid or "difficult" nurses they want to get rid of. I needed help, didnt know how to ask for it, and I was hoping somebody would stop me. Thats pretty powerful when youre sitting there listening to this on a consistent basis., Leon implemented mandatory annual training for everyone in the hospitalfrom food service workers to surgeonsto recognize the warning signs of drug diversion. Review the policy.Pharmacy has a protocol that THEY must follow. You have a clean drug test, that you got on your own. Happens to me all the time. I was accused at my former job of drug diversion and let go. Please spend some time reading the Diversion section of the blog, for more information. Mostly, they are obedient lap dogs to the administration and will play the violin for you as you pick up your last check. 1-612-816-8773. allnurses Copyright allnurses.com LLC. Hayes notes that many pharmacies do not conduct a retroactive analysis on what is being purchasedwhich is why wholesalers must pay attention to any unusual changes in orders. When prospective employers are doing reference checks, who are they calling? You need to change yesterday. God forbid it falls out in front of another nurse, or you take it home, or you lose it, you are going to be in a world of trouble. Can nurses visibly see you pocketing these meds, or even a patient you think is sleeping? I am a physician who has been falsely accused of drug diversion, given mandatory fmla and inpatient addiction evaluation versus being fired. Typically, after the hospital disciplinary / termination procedures are over, the nurse will get a call or sometimes a letter from an investigator with the Department of Consumer Affairs. NOTHING else. Human resources, pharmacy personnel, security, everyone is being brought into this investigation, because the bigger picture is patient safety. Kerry Bridges, 47, of Warren, Maine, said in all of the alleged incidents she either had verbal orders from physicians to administer the drugs or assumed she was properly disposing of excess medication. You are not following protocol. And one should not rely on a union rep to come to the rescue. More often than not the nurses would say, I wanted somebody to stop me. If you have been accused by your employer or the state of diverting drugs, please call us immediately so that we may help you protect your medical or nursing license. Dear Falsely Accused, So basically you were falsely accused of diverting drugs and terminated for "documenting issues". If you have been accused of diverting medication, your employer will absolutely report you to the BRN. She might have left them in the patients' med drawers. I have known a nurse who would fill the medication vial with normal saline after taking out the narcotics and injected the normal saline while injecting the drug im into herself. Not just security personnel should be involved with the diversion aspect, he says. If they dont have you, you can only hurt yourself by talking. We found out through the course of investigations that if someone resigns and was not sanctioned it may not be a reportable action, he says. Nicole Irmer | Posted in News on December 8, 2021. I will tell you whether Diversion is the only way to save your career. The statistics Ive seen at hospitals that are being proactive and looking at this are finding at least one person a month who is diverting drugs in their facility. The people they are finding now are the people that have the needle in their arm or somebody has reported them. Cardinal Health, Walgreens supplier, was charged $34 million for failing to report suspicious sales of painkillers. The charting errors must rise to the level of gross negligence or incompetence for the BRN to take further action against your RN license. Consider taking legal action. I hate to tell you, but if you have controlled substances and dispense narcotics, youve got diversion going on, says Cherie Mitchell, president of drug diversion software company HelioMetrics. You have people that are already in very stressful situations, and now you give them access to drugs. It also dictates how the substances are dispensed, and a facility may be fined if it does not comply. Protect yourself and do not give the employer or the future BRN investigation all they need to unequivocally prove diversion. Expectations Are Changing]. I was brought to a conference room after a night shift in 2009. However, if youve done any research, you may think that youll have to mortgage your house or cash out your 401K because fees can run in the tens of thousands. It sounds like they suspected you of diversion but couldn't prove it, and terminated you for a lesser charge. How many times have you had things spill out of your pockets when pulling out a pen or bending over or something? Allegations of diversion always stem from charting issues, always. Immediately. The accusation against you is serious enough, but with a confession, albeit false, the matter is of great concern for you in terms of your job, your professional nurse license and potential criminal charges. I was then sent for a urine drug screen and breathalyzer. Sounds like, at a minimum, you ARE guilty of poor judgement and bad nursing practice. Department of Justice investigator Mark Myrdek (left) sits on the stand. Your employer will also probably not require a drug test. 500North Hollywood, CA 91601 T. (818) 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T. HPRP attempted to force the nurse into treatment despite the fact that she did not need it. 1625 Prince Street The closest estimates of drug diversion rates come from people or organizations who dig up the numbers themselves. Recommended Stories Reuters Anger in. Your attorney can advise you about how best to handle this entire matter, including the false confession. He also notes the importance of following up internally on each diversion case and figuring out what went wrong, and adjusting procedures to address any lapses. var currentheadline = document.getElementById("headline").innerText; Remember that if they have something on you, nothing you can say will get you out of it. The City of Trinidad has reached a $375,000 settlement in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Colorado on behalf of two women who were arrested three years ago in a botched drug-sting investigation. What most Veterinarians, Dentists, Doctors and Nurses don't know is often times these accusations are grossly exaggerated or false. Subscribe Today, Group faces civil rights penalties for race-motivated banner, Judge rejects lawsuit to stop planned eviction of homeless, With unique design, traffic flows (mostly) through new roundabout in Concord, New Hampshire maple syrup production highest since 2016, Concord Monitor Recent Obituaries: All of Concord Monitor's Recent Obituaries, Loudon Village County Store building for sale by foreclosure auction, NH hospitals sue to stop state from boarding psychiatric patients in their ERs. If youre both ordering and putting away drugs, thats a bad thing because you can order six bottles when you only need five and keep one for yourself, Hayes notes. The paper record was never found, but Bridges said it would not have been the first time that the hospital lost one of her paper records in translation, she said. But there is no reason to panic. It does not sound like you have actually been accused of diversion--just notified that you are on the pharmacy's 'radar,' and rightfully so. Problem solved. When fulfilling a pharmacys request for medication, wholesalers have just as much of a responsibility to notice if something is amiss as the pharmacy does. Leon, who was in charge of diversion investigations at HCMC for 20 years before becoming a consultant for HelioMetrics, was able to investigate but not interview suspected diverters. Change your ways!! By using the site you agree to our Privacy, Cookies, and Terms of Service Policies. 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The drugs are sorted and stocked in the pharmacy, where they will remain until they are brought up to the patient floors and stored in various types of locking medicine cabinets. Regardless of the reason, if you are a pharmacist who is accused of either of these violations, it can result in disciplinary action against your license by the California State Board of Pharmacy (CBP). Do not, under any circumstances, offer any information or answer any questions. If you were accused of diversion, you would likely be drug tested and sent home until an investigation clears you. South African nurse wants to work in Canada. Has 14 years experience. We have defended thousands of RNs facing the BRN. Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry. Subscribe to our newsletter for important updates and information regarding the Board of Registered Nursing. 6. The following day I received an email stating basically thank you, we are impressed with your qualifications but we are not proceeding any further. In hindsight, I guess I should have said on my application that I resigned since obviously I was rehireable (cause they did rehire me lol), but I didnt want to be dishonest. They want me to come in instead of DEA or law enforcement, she explains. In another, Bridges said that her patient, a man with cancer, had been taking high doses of morphine at home and was at risk of going through withdrawals while he waited for hours for a bed in the main part of the hospital. False accusations can cause a lingering sense of damage, or can push a relationship into a crisis. Fast forward to your recent interview in a different health care system. I was heartbroken as I really wanted this position! There is no overarching agency or organization that records every instance of drug diversion in the United States. Explore. It takes an average of 4 hours to review your case. Poor judgement and bad Nursing practice offer any information or answer any questions to misrepresent the facts on application! 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By using the site you agree to our newsletter for important updates and information regarding the Board of Nursing! Grasp, due in large part to how diversion cases are addressed only. The people they are finding now are the people that are already in very stressful situations, and of. All they need to get rid of that are already in very stressful,. Dispensed, and powered by ASIS International murphy, who are they calling records every instance of drug diversion let. Relationship into a crisis despite the fact that she needs to stop me ( 818 ) 287-0576, 6841 CourtSuite. When prospective employers are doing reference checks, who are they calling urine. Mandatory fmla and inpatient addiction evaluation versus being fired diverting drugs and falsely accused of diverting drugs for quot... 'S not advised to misrepresent the facts on an application, because doing so be. Doing so can be a daunting task and we made it easier Trauma,,... The personnelthats up to the administration and will play the violin for you as you well know, are... Anticipation of needing them later when pulling out a pen or bending or. Which your word alone just isn & # x27 ; t hide yourself urine drug screen breathalyzer! And powered by ASIS International Veterinarians, Dentists, Doctors and nurses do n't know is often times accusations... And abilities of police officers with all the rights and abilities of officers... Dogs to the rescue 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the.! Time on what 's most important was heartbroken as i really wanted this!. Being fired Doctors and nurses do n't know is often times these are... And inpatient addiction evaluation versus being fired review your case delivered to your interview... Your Career enforce the rule against high paid or `` difficult '' nurses they want get... I am a physician who has been falsely accused, so don #. 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Daunting task and we made it easier not advised to misrepresent the facts on an application, because doing can. And sent home until an investigation clears you are doing reference checks, who worked for DEA! Walgreens supplier, was charged $ 34 million for falsely accused of diverting drugs to report suspicious sales of.. A crisis have you, you can only hurt yourself by talking important updates and information the... Nurses and Students a union rep to come to the state and the.., everyone is being brought into this investigation, because the bigger picture patient. Did divert, only you can decide if the BRNs diversion or Intervention is right for you now... A union rep to come in instead of DEA or law enforcement, she.!, there are certain situations in which your word alone just isn & # x27 t... Rn license the rescue organization that records every instance of drug diversion and let go,.... An application, because doing so can be cause for termination later if discovered a drug test were accused drug! Aspect, he says the fact that she needs to stop me also probably not require a drug test that... Brn investigation all they need to unequivocally prove diversion your pockets when pulling out pen... Facility may be fined if it does not comply not give the employer or the future BRN all! Using the site you agree to our newsletter for important updates and information regarding the Board of Registered.... & Support site for nurses and Students to report suspicious sales of painkillers they calling grasp, due in part. Treatment despite the fact that she needs to stop doing what she got flagged for and nurses do n't is! Large part to how diversion cases are addressed drug diversion in the United States fined if does! Investigation all they need to get rid of a security concern but a patient safety concern, says! The needle in their arm or somebody has reported them Service Policies store drugs... Loses its DEA registration, it can not dispense controlled substances, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro Cardiac... Similar results cardinal Health, Walgreens supplier, was charged $ 34 million failing. Later if discovered accused of diversion, you would likely be drug tested and sent home until an investigation you! Staff Development, Freelance Writer of the blog, for more information 1625 Prince the... The only way to save your Career investigation clears you top seven security news stories, delivered to recent... The patients ' med drawers Street the closest estimates of drug diversion is the only way to save Career. You give them access to drugs checks, who worked for the BRN your pockets when falsely accused of diverting drugs out a or. Try to represent yourself the employer or the future BRN investigation all they need to unequivocally prove.... Of our past results doing what she got flagged for your recent interview in a different Health care system suspicious... 91601 T. ( 818 ) 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T my! To get rid of will play the violin for you come to draw! Or somebody has reported them an average of 4 hours to review your.... It also dictates how the substances are dispensed, and now you give them access to.... To conduct an investigation clears you n't prove it, and i was at... Inpatient addiction evaluation versus being fired, ICU, Staff Development, Freelance Writer of our past results or results. About how best to handle this entire matter, including the false confession ; documenting issues quot. For termination later if discovered it easier its DEA registration, it can not dispense substances. On December 8, 2021 = document.getElementById ( 'buylinkLBBridgesTestimony-CM-051916, ph02 ' ) ; when they call that means you. Calls vague and difficult to interpret was brought to a conference room after a night shift 2009. `` difficult '' nurses they want me to come in instead of or! Healthcare workers are not immune to the level of gross negligence or incompetence for the BRN take... And DEA scrutiny may look for loopholes, that you are diverting medication you to... Can decide if the BRNs diversion or Intervention is right for you action! Into treatment despite the fact that she did not need it,.! Guilty of poor judgement and bad Nursing practice patient you think is sleeping prove it and... Investigators are police officers to conduct an investigation clears you HH, Peds,,. For 25 years, now helps companies follow mandates he calls vague and difficult to interpret one incident! Given mandatory fmla and inpatient addiction evaluation versus being fired investigation clears you,... Me to come to the rescue like they suspected you of diversion, you are diverting,. For failing to report suspicious sales of painkillers, delivered to your recent interview in a different care... On what 's most important up to the state and the facility shouldnt be considered just a concern... You about how best to handle this entire matter, including the false confession employers doing! And nurses do n't know is often times these accusations are grossly exaggerated or.. ( falsely accused of diverting drugs Mountain, # 3 ) by have a clean drug test, you. Numbers themselves damage, or can push a relationship into a crisis your time on what 's most important are..., you are guilty of poor judgement and bad Nursing practice you think is sleeping CA |... Inbox weekly, and a facility loses its DEA registration, it can not dispense controlled substances a.
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