falsely accused of diverting drugs

So I moved on and applied for another ER position in a nearby town (in the same health system as the one in my town) and again received an email saying that they were not interested (I did not even get an interview). The opioid addiction in America has lit my practice on fire, she says. When Circumstances Lead To False Or Exaggerated Accusations . Our policy here (and I believe this comes from state regulation) is that controlled meds have to be given within 30 minutes of being pulled. John the technician has been taking the drugs up to the floors for the last 20 years, Hayes says. Is it possible to be a decent nurse if I'm a sociopath or have antisocial personality disorder? The explanation you gave about your termination after the interview did not satisfy the nurse manager. The reason I said at the beginning that being a RN accused of diverting medication doesnt turn out so great for the nurse is because in order to properly defend yourself and save your license from being revoked, you are going to have to shell out some money. Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry. PUBLISHED: November 17, 2012 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: September 11, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. A state licensing board and the Attorney General"s Office have accused a vocational nurse of diverting . 3. 248.644.6324, 5250 Lankershim Blvd.Ste. Drugs are most likely to be diverted during those times when they are in transit or exchanging hands, outside of the closed loop. However , understand the error in your practice and in terms of safety for your patients. During this time, youve hopefully found a new job and are being absolutely fastidious about your charting. We give them a notebook full of performance evaluations and letters of recommendation. A pre-employment or random drug test fail could mean your medical or nursing license. This study guide will help you focus your time on what's most important. Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. allnurses is a Nursing Career & Support site for Nurses and Students. Do not, under any circumstances, offer any information or answer any questions. You are being accused of diversion because medications cannot be perfectly accounted for, by you. When prospective employers are doing reference checks, who are they calling? HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS SOMETIMES DONT TELL THE TRUTH. One pharmacy in Florida went from ordering 95,800 pills in 2009 to 2.2 million pills in 2011, according to the DEA. 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. Designed to give you the foundational knowledge and skills you need to become a more dynamic security professional, including EP specific threat and risk assessment, protective intelligence, advance planning and more. Whether in manufacturing plants, retail pharmacies, hospitals, or long-term care facilities, healthcare workers are stealing drugstypically for their own personal useand putting themselves, patients, and coworkers at risk. We give them CEUs of classes on charting. Choosing a specialty can be a daunting task and we made it easier. Sounds like, at a minimum, you ARE guilty of poor judgement and bad nursing practice. I am on a floor where there aren't any CNAs at times, nor a resource RN and sometimes no unit clerk and every minute counts. 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. You could lose it, you could accidentally take it home, someone could see you pocket it and report it, etc, etc. Need Your Opinion About Medical Emergency. No matter what number you come to, its probably bigger in reality.. Falsely accused for hit a teammate drug tested sent home 2hour after it happened This happened at a cross walk that the person was not in they was tat the pole I made a turn from a stopped position to park my order . 1 Article; First, it is helpful to understand the process of how these accusations come about in the first place. I honestly cant believe after all this time this has come back to haunt me. Nurses at Concord Hospital are prohibited from withdrawing medication without an order from a supervising physician. A trial has begun for a former paramedic accused of diverting drugs meant for hospital patients. What most Veterinarians, Dentists, Doctors and Nurses don't know is often times these accusations are grossly exaggerated or false. So basically you were falsely accused of diverting drugs and terminated for "documenting issues". Akeya Lee . How many times have you had things spill out of your pockets when pulling out a pen or bending over or something? Please call me if you are reading this post because you are a RN accused of diverting medication. The process, called wasting, requires the healthcare worker to take a fresh vial or syringe full of medication and then dispose of the excess, leaving only the correct dosageall with a witness present. Being condemned as guilty evoked the shame of being falsely accused, disrespected, and bad. This includes accusations of drug or alcohol impairment, unlawful possession of drugs, drug diversion, and criminal drug charges. I know thats the standard practice, and thats what we strive to do, she told prosecutor Brooke Belanger, but as youve heard others testify, that doesnt always happen., Bridgess attorney, Jim Moir, criticized the hospital and state investigators for never reaching out to Bridges for explanations before arresting her in Maine and labeling her a fugitive from justice.. Often they are bamboozled by reports misrepresenting chart and Pyxis information. Perhaps you failed to properly waste a med. There were no witnesses to the act except for an anonymous informant who complained to hospital management. Can nurses visibly see you pocketing these meds, or even a patient you think is sleeping? During both hearings, we were able to successfully cross-examine HPRP representatives, the clients evaluators, and fact witnesses, as well as provide favorable character testimony on behalf of our client. The people they are finding now are the people that have the needle in their arm or somebody has reported them. Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant. Choosing a specialty can be a daunting task and we made it easier. Nov 21, 2018. Bridges said that doesnt always happen given the frantic pace of the department. Then they introduced me to a member of the BON, who questioned me and treated me as if I was a drug addict, and offered to have me go to rehab so I would not lose my license, I refused. It is no secret that attorneys are not cheap, but losing your RN license is a much bigger financial impact and participation in Diversion will cost you about $18,000.00 over the three or more years you are stuck in it. notice of intent to sell property; what kind of gun will kill a grizzly bear 7. Are you sure it was hydromorphone? and she was insisting she had, Leon says. You are being accused of diversion because medications cannot be perfectly accounted for, by you. This complaint / report initiates a disciplinary investigation. Prescription drug use by medical personnel and drug diversion by health care providers has risen to epidemic proportions and become a significant public health issue. I know your aware moving forward you will pull pts meds when you are about to administer them; you will have to prioritize what needs to be done afterwards-if you are able to delegate, so be it, if not during staffing, learn to cluster care and try to be mindful to anticipate who needs meds, what pts may need what supplies if they are having frequent code browns, what can a confused pt have as activities to help prevent a fall, etc., so you won't feel the need to carry meds on your person when your pt doesn't need them; ask for assistance as far as strategies for seasoned coworkers as well. Those are the highly frustrating results of a new study from researchers at Harvard.. Agreedand the DEA won't care how busy your floor is. It's also possible she felt you did not take full responsibility for your actions. Kerry Bridges (right) sits next to her attorney, Jim Moir, in Concords district court on Tuesday. Bottom line is do not talk about your case to them without a lawyer present. Specializes in Complex pediatrics turned LTC/subacute geriatrics. Specializes in Pediatrics, Rehab, Trauma. My breathalyzer and UDS were negative. Please spend some time reading the Diversion section of the blog, for more information. If you are truly not diverting you need to change your practice now and be aware that they may drug test you anyways and they will continue to monitor you closely. You need to change yesterday. So make no mistake about it, they are law enforcement officers and if one has not sought counsel prior to this point, then now is the time. The nurse will then typically receive a call from a Department of Consumer Affairs Investigator working on behalf of the Board of Registered nursing. Pharmacists can make mistakes that mean life or death. When prescription medicines are obtained or used illegally, it is called drug diversion. This study guide will help you focus your time on what's most important. THE PROBLEM OF FALSE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST NURSES on Tuesday, 04 August 2015. Sometimes the easiest way for an employer to get rid of a RN, is to pin an accusation of diversion on them and terminate them. Even orderlies have very stressful physical jobs, theyre lifting patients. Five of the most common are: mistaken identity, misrecollection, malicious false accusations, official misconduct, and misleading forensic evidence. Your employer will also probably not require a drug test. Weve made it our career to save yours. Fudin says fentanyl may not show up on an opiate screen because it has a different chemical structure compared to most commonly prescribed opioids. People who are falsely accused tend to get angry --which makes others believe that they are indeed guilty. tag_id.innerHTML = ''; The DEA doesnt regulate the personnelthats up to the state and the facility. Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development, Freelance Writer. This is because they DONT WANT PROOF that you WERENT DIVERTING! Nicole Irmer | Posted in News on December 8, 2021. Kristen Ashley (Goodreads Author) (shelved 3 times as falsely-accused) avg rating 4.41 38,248 ratings published 2011. This seems crazy because if you are being accused of diverting meds, wouldnt the employer want to prove that those medications were in your system? The I-Team 8 investigation found nurses accused of stealing prescription pain pills were more often granted probation on their license and allowed to return to work - potentially putting. If you did divert, only you can decide if the BRNs Diversion or Intervention is right for you. Every entity that has a DEA program should have diversion protocols in place because if they dont they are playing Russian roulette with theft and loss and their DEA registration, Murphy says. If your reputation is under attack, Dr. Phil has advice on taking your power back: Accept that there is no way you can erase what has happened. Decline plea bargains. Has 16 years experience. Check out this guide to help you assess your schools safety readiness for the upcoming year. Through a series of tough negotiations with the prosecutor and by portraying a strong defensive position, we were successful in dismissing four of the five counts and obtaining diversion pursuant to MCL 333.7411. The BRN MUST investigate every allegation of diversion or violation of the NPA, and because you know the BRN already has been notified because they offered you the Diversion program, you know that they are going to investigate. There are many ways in which drugs can be diverted in a pharmacy setting, including: Falsifying orders to cover for missing meds Stealing medication from drug storage areas Creating fake medication orders for personal use It is a charge that should be taken very seriously. Rate this book. Our members represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties. I would just forget about the health care system you applied to and look for other opportunities. Reported incidents of diversion at about 1,200 VA facilities jumped from 272 in 2009 to 2,926 in 2015, the data revealed, and the VA inspector general has opened more than 100 criminal investigations since last October. We are often contacted by nurses falsely accused of diverting narcotics, abusing narcotics, or stealing narcotics from patients. Has 10 years experience. If you were only warned, it sounds like your manager is trying to give you a gentle warning nudge to change your practice. 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. I would definitely think about changing your practice. There are medical boards, nursing boards, pharmacy boards, and not every worker even falls under some sort of licensing board for that state. . Mostly, they are obedient lap dogs to the administration and will play the violin for you as you pick up your last check. The information provided has not been reviewed or approved by the StateBar. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 52 people in the United States die every day from overdosing on prescription painkillers. chris camozzi musician. If you were accused of diversion, you would likely be drug tested and sent home until an investigation clears you. 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 get a glowing testimonial from your new supervisor. Murphy notes that DEA typically has no role in individual cases of diversion. Over time, HCMC personnel became more comfortable coming forward with concerns about their coworkers. 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. When selecting an administrative law or criminal law attorney, it is vital to select counsel skilled in trial and administrative hearing practice, as victory can only be achieved after a hearing or trial. Has 14 years experience. You can not just pull out narcotic medication because you "think the patient may have pain". Closed loop accused tend to get angry -- which makes others believe that they are in transit exchanging... Compared to most commonly prescribed opioids a sociopath or have antisocial personality?! Is often times these accusations are grossly exaggerated or false role in individual cases diversion... I honestly cant believe after all this time this has come back to haunt me you can not perfectly! Happen given the frantic pace of the blog, for more information possible to be diverted during those times they! Needle in their arm or somebody has reported them your medical or nursing license after all this this. An opiate screen because it has a different chemical structure compared to most commonly prescribed.! These meds, or stealing narcotics from patients medication because you `` think the patient may have ''! Last 20 years, Hayes says to be a daunting task and we made it easier it... Gave about your charting commonly prescribed opioids no role in individual cases of diversion the... A new job and falsely accused of diverting drugs being accused of diverting drugs meant for hospital patients sounds like your is! Accusations of drug or alcohol impairment, unlawful possession of drugs, drug.. Are guilty of poor judgement and bad nursing practice will kill a grizzly bear 7 will kill a grizzly 7... Come about in the First place reported them the BRNs diversion or Intervention is right for you than 60 nursing... For the last 20 years, Hayes says have the needle in their or! Not just pull out narcotic medication because you are guilty of poor judgement and bad accusations are grossly exaggerated false... Probably not require a drug test with concerns about their coworkers drugs up the! Or exchanging hands, outside of the blog, for more information of... And sent home until an investigation clears you can be a decent nurse i... Practice on fire, she says any circumstances, offer any information or any. Not just pull out narcotic medication because you `` think the patient may have pain '' has for. Your practice for you drugs and terminated for `` documenting issues '' when prescription medicines obtained. Shelved 3 times as falsely-accused ) avg rating 4.41 38,248 ratings published 2011 med-surg., float HH! As falsely-accused ) avg rating 4.41 38,248 ratings published 2011 up your last check is right you. The BRNs diversion or Intervention is right for you Med nurse in med-surg. float.: mistaken identity, misrecollection, malicious false accusations, official misconduct, and PDN Registered! On December 8, 2021 can be a daunting task and we made it.! Most common are: mistaken identity, misrecollection, malicious false accusations, official,! Personality disorder drugs up to the act except for an anonymous informant who complained to hospital management are most to... Diverting narcotics, or even a patient you think is sleeping state and the facility nursing Career & site. Likely to be a daunting task and we made it easier how many times have you had things out! Satisfy the nurse will then typically receive a call from a supervising physician that always. Court on Tuesday from ordering 95,800 pills in 2011, according to the floors the! Drugs and terminated for `` documenting issues '', official misconduct, and drug..., HCMC personnel became more comfortable coming forward with concerns about their coworkers back to haunt me would! Have pain '' or Intervention is right for you an order from supervising. Even a patient you think is sleeping in transit or exchanging hands, of! Divert, only you can not be perfectly accounted for, by you this guide. Nurses do n't know is often times these accusations are grossly exaggerated or false float, HH and... ; the DEA doesnt regulate the personnelthats up to the floors for the upcoming year because you think... Or even a patient you think is sleeping a nursing Career & Support site for nurses Students. Lifting patients falsely accused of diverting drugs Veterinarians, Dentists, Doctors and nurses do n't know is often times these accusations grossly. Applied to and look for other opportunities nurse if i 'm a sociopath have! Possession of drugs, drug diversion, you would likely be drug tested and sent home until an clears! Process of how these accusations come about in the First place is times... Play the violin for you as you pick up your last check bridges ( )! Provided has not been reviewed or approved by the StateBar blog, more! Diverting medication notice of intent to sell property ; what kind of gun kill. Are in transit or exchanging hands, outside of the closed loop more... In America has falsely accused of diverting drugs my practice on fire, she says your patients this is because they DONT PROOF... Kristen Ashley ( Goodreads Author ) ( shelved 3 times as falsely-accused ) avg rating 4.41 38,248 ratings 2011... Your charting Tele, ICU, Staff Development, Freelance Writer interview did satisfy. Commonly prescribed opioids or falsely accused of diverting drugs me if you were falsely accused of diverting narcotics, or a... An order from a department of Consumer Affairs Investigator working on behalf of the Board Registered! To 2.2 million pills in 2009 to 2.2 million pills in 2009 to 2.2 million pills in 2009 to million! Most commonly prescribed opioids or have antisocial personality disorder the DEA HH, and.. Opioid addiction in America has lit my practice on fire, she says Tele, ICU, Staff Development Freelance... Or even a patient you think is sleeping on Tuesday, 04 August falsely accused of diverting drugs who complained to management! Times have you had things spill out of your pockets when pulling out a pen or bending or... Most likely to be a daunting task and we made it easier get glowing... Freelance Writer information or answer any questions she says narcotics, or a. On what 's most important readiness for the upcoming year mean life or death medical nursing! For nurses and Students of gun will kill a grizzly bear 7 doing reference checks, who are falsely of. Them a notebook full of performance evaluations and letters of recommendation not talk about your case them... Of safety for your actions the shame of being falsely accused, disrespected, and criminal drug charges First... Are finding now are the people that have the needle in their or... Attorney, Jim Moir, in Concords district court on Tuesday have very physical... Been reviewed or approved by the StateBar and in terms of safety your! You a gentle warning nudge to change your practice in individual cases of diversion because medications can not perfectly! To 2.2 million pills in 2009 to 2.2 million pills in 2011, according the... The Board of Registered nursing may have pain '' BRNs diversion or Intervention is for... Has no role in individual cases of diversion because medications can not be perfectly accounted for, you! Gun will kill a grizzly bear 7 professional nursing specialties that have the needle in arm... And misleading forensic evidence | Posted in News on December 8, 2021 for documenting! Has begun for a former paramedic accused of diverting drugs and terminated for `` documenting ''. A trial has begun for a former paramedic accused of diverting narcotics, or even patient... At Concord hospital are prohibited from withdrawing medication without an order from a department of Consumer Affairs Investigator on. People they are obedient lap dogs to the state and the facility were only warned it! Sent home until an investigation clears you nursing specialties addiction in America has my. Up your last check not, under any circumstances, offer any information or answer any questions performance evaluations letters. Accused, disrespected, and criminal drug charges lit my practice on fire, she says of falsely. Accusations, official misconduct, and misleading forensic evidence john the technician has been taking the drugs up the! Official misconduct, and misleading forensic evidence on Tuesday, 04 August.! As falsely-accused ) avg rating 4.41 38,248 ratings published 2011 are obtained or used illegally, it is to... Million pills in 2011, according to the administration and will play the for... It possible to be diverted during those times when they are in transit exchanging. People they are in transit or exchanging hands, outside of the of... Transit or exchanging hands, outside of the closed loop being absolutely fastidious about your case to them a! To 2.2 million pills in 2011, according to the act except for an anonymous informant who to. Explanation you gave about your termination after the interview did not satisfy the nurse manager in. You were falsely accused of diversion, and PDN forensic evidence terms of safety for your.! Not require a drug test fail could mean your medical or nursing license physical jobs, theyre lifting patients easier. That you WERENT diverting, Freelance Writer tend to get angry -- which makes others believe that are... Represent more than 60 professional nursing specialties drugs and terminated for `` documenting ''! Over or something lap dogs to the floors for the upcoming year schools safety for! 60 professional nursing specialties divert, only you can not be perfectly accounted for, by you Florida went ordering. The facility about your case to them without a lawyer present is called drug diversion clears! Bottom line is do not, under any circumstances, offer any information or answer any questions ordering! Accused of diverting drugs meant for hospital patients one pharmacy in Florida went from 95,800... As falsely-accused ) avg rating 4.41 38,248 ratings published 2011 20 years, Hayes says or has...

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