Kerry Bridges (right) sits next to her attorney, Jim Moir, in Concords district court on Tuesday. It's also possible she felt you did not take full responsibility for your actions. Before the facility started the annual training, Leon caught at least one diverter a month. Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant. The new roundabout next to Exit 17 might flummox some first-time users since its a design unique to Concord, but after four months of winter use New Hampshire sugarhouses bounced back in 2022 after a dismal prior year, producing more maple syrup than any season in the past seven years.The U Kerry Bridges (right) sits next to her attorney, Jim Moir, in Concords district court on Tuesday. 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. 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. The doctor went to properly treat the patient and Leon called the nurse manager and the local sheriffs detective in to begin an official investigation into the nurses actions. Bridges said that doesnt always happen given the frantic pace of the department. You have people that are already in very stressful situations, and now you give them access to drugs. The only reason for this is because I have pulled out morphine at times and not given it until 1-2 hours later. It would be right before the procedure that I pull it, and I would waste the unused portion right after the procedure is done. What most Veterinarians, Dentists, Doctors and Nurses don't know is often times these accusations are grossly exaggerated or false. 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. But dont turn to the impairment program first do this instead. 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. It is literally worth millions of dollars. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been snubbed from a royal portrait that was taken at a reception they were "uninvited" from. 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. She joined the Navy in 1990 and retired in September as a major in the Maine National Guard, where she submitted to random drug tests. Bottom line is do not talk about your case to them without a lawyer present. Similarly, it is important to rotate who delivers the drugs to the patient floors. The people they are finding now are the people that have the needle in their arm or somebody has reported them. }. In one especially egregious case, a traveling medical technician with hepatitis C would inject himself with his patients fentanyl and refill the same syringe with saline, ultimately spreading the virus to at least 30 people in two states. 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. Allegations of diversion always stem from charting issues, always. Because of this, diversion shouldnt be considered just a security concern but a patient safety concern, Cichon says. You find out 60 days or six months later, or you dont see that pattern emerge by just using one or two data sets. (NICK REID / Monitor staff) '"; tag_id.innerHTML = ''; You want to try to find them before that.. Change your practice habits to keep your job and your license. While filing a complaint with the BRN is not mandated by law . Department of Justice investigator Mark Myrdek (left) sits on the stand. It takes 14 hours to negotiate an Accusation or 20.5 for a Hearing. They want me to come in instead of DEA or law enforcement, she explains. It takes 12 hours for an interview. Murphy encourages facilities to be in full DEA compliance to mitigate diversion. I am a physician who has been falsely accused of drug diversion, given mandatory fmla and inpatient addiction evaluation versus being fired. You are being accused of diversion because medications cannot be perfectly accounted for, by you. Wholesalers. It is at this stage that your attorney gets to argue your case. 1 Article; Prosecutors say doctors never signed off on the orders Bridges claims they gave her, and insist her behavior over the five weeks she worked in the hospitals emergency department was suspicious. However, DEA does not get involved in every suspected case of diversion. 500North Hollywood, CA 91601 T. (818) 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T. Those are the highly frustrating results of a new study from researchers at Harvard.. 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 . Today a woman from the finnish customs called me saying its narcotics, she asked me if it was me who ordered the narcotics saying that that way i wont get into much trouble and it will be easier but if i deny ordering them i would have to go to the police station for a court hearing so they can get my statement and decide what to do. By using the site you agree to our Privacy, Cookies, and Terms of Service Policies. Choosing a specialty can be a daunting task and we made it easier. Unfortunately, experts acknowledge that most diverters dont get caught until they have been diverting for so long they start to get sloppy. 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. A facility that identifies a diversion problem might bring in any combination of players, from private investigators and local law enforcement to state accreditation boards or the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). If you did not divert, you have no business in the Diversion program and this is NOT an effective or easy way to avoid the hassle or expense of the BRN or potential discipline. This study guide will help you focus your time on what's most important. Instead, they insist she was unfairly and haphazardly targeted, and that the case exposes the serious flaws of an emergency department that still depends on paper records and whose administrators dont realize how divergent policy and practice become in the rush of the job. 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. If you have to surrender yourself in Court, so be it. Puts patients at risk for healthcare-associated infections. Under a plea bargain, a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for some benefit, such as a reduced sentence or lesser charge. Illinois dentist accused of diverting patients' anesthesia drug for personal use. Every case is different and each case must be evaluated and handled on its own merits. 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. Just follow policy. Secondly, no matter how friendly, understanding or honest they may seem to be THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS AND THEY ARE NOT ON YOUR SIDE! I will tell you whether Diversion is the only way to save your career. This puts the person who is being accused in a difficult spot: There is no proof of a crime, yet . He noted that she is a dive instructor, runs half marathons and runs a small farm on her land. The scope and frequency of drug diversion is almost impossible to grasp, due in large part to how diversion cases are addressed. However, those are just the numbers that were legally prescribedabout 75 percent of people who take opioids recreationally get them from a friend or family member. They are under a lot of pressure to catch instances of diversion, and repeatedly pulling a narc an hour of more before you give it is a definite red flag. While prosecutors have outlined the case as clear-cut deception, Bridgess defense insists its anything but. Susan Hayes has been a private detective for healthcare facilities for more than a decade and says the opioid epidemic has magnified the drug diversion problem in recent years. Leon observed the nurse dispense a syringe of hydromorphone from the medicine cabinet, and, while a fellow nurse was signing off on the withdrawal, she placed the syringe in her pocket and pulled out an identical syringe, which Leon later learned contained saline. 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 . you didnt. Healthcare providers are in very stressful jobs, Hayes says. There are different drugs today, of course, than there were 20 years ago.. I would just forget about the health care system you applied to and look for other opportunities. Someone is black-balling you; it might be someone you least suspect. Do not pocket or store anymore drugs in anticipation of needing them later. The process of investigation and charges can be lengthy and in the overwhelming majority of cases, what starts with a bang ends with a whimper. Falsely Accused: I'm wondering if you didn't get on the wrong side of someone in your previous job. In one alleged incident, Bridges said she withdrew 100 micrograms of fentanyl, went to the bathroom, then administered half of the drug and disposed of the rest, sending a paper copy of the disposal to a separate department. John Burke, president of the International Health Facility Diversion Association, extrapolated data he obtained from facilities in Ohio to estimate the presence of 37,000 diverters in healthcare facilities across the country each year. I think the combination is almost deadly.. By using the site you agree to our Privacy, Cookies, and Terms of Service Policies. We get a glowing testimonial from your new supervisor. 1441 W Long Lake RoadSuite 310Troy, MI 48098T. At this point, Leon knew exactly what was going on, and watched with increasing alarm as the nurse headed to a patients room in the orthopedic area of the hospital. He references several high-profile diversion cases in which the diverters used the same syringe full of medicine on both themselves and their patients, spreading bacterial infections and hepatitis. Decline plea bargains. Expectations Are Changing, Introducing the New Executive Protection Certificate. Bridges was accused of misconduct in 2014 by Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, but it was never raised Wednesday in court. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. It probably would not change anything to contact HR, and they did not violate any labor laws- they just didn't hire you. Rate this book. More often than not the nurses would say, I wanted somebody to stop me. Lawyers in the case of a traveling nurse accused of diverting prescription drugs argued Tuesday over what type of testimony can be presented at trial. South African nurse wants to work in Canada. Doctor's Patient Dies of Opioid Overdoses, Spiga & Associates | 655 N. Central Ave. Ste. Has 4 years experience. This required a successful result at two hearings: asummary suspension hearing and a Board of Nursing formal administrative hearing. Even if I have a pt. If the investigator concludes that you either did divert medication or that you were negligent or incompetent in your charting, they will turn your case over to the BRNs attorney and the Attorney General of California will file a formal accusation against your RN license. Now hang on a minute. And if you leave it in your COW or some other drawer of some kind, how secure is it in there? If you have been falsely accused of a crime, you need a lawyer to help plan and present your defense. I am so upset and frustrated since my manager recently told me that the pharmacy put me on an alert list for possible medication diversion. Healthcare workers are not immune to the draw of opioids. 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. NEW! I was accused at my former job of drug diversion and let go. No way would I pull drugs two hours ahead of time in ANTICIPATION of needing it. The information provided has not been reviewed or approved by the StateBar. 305.712.7177. She said she routinely visited the break room to grab a snack, check her cell phone or use the staff restroom inside, which she assumed was cleaner than the public ones. There were no witnesses to the act except for an anonymous informant who complained to hospital management. 248.644.6326F. Lady Luck (Colorado Mountain, #3) by. If you were actively diverting for a while, the likelihood of making it look like 36 missing Ativan over a 3 month period is anything other than diversion is supermodel slim to none. 1-612-816-8773. allnurses Copyright allnurses.com LLC. Please call me if you are reading this post because you are a RN accused of diverting medication. I was brought to a conference room after a night shift in 2009. Virtually every nurses in a fast paced environment, attending to multiple patients with critical needs, will commonly fail to document every instance of the administration or wasting of narcotics. Most people are using the logs from the medicine cabinets trying to do statistical analysis, Mitchell explains. You have a clean drug test, that you got on your own. False accusations and gossip can destroy lives, even if the accused is innocent. Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"and your next! If you have been accused of substance problems or diverting narcotics and know that the allegations are false you should: Contact your primary care physician and request a drug screen to be done immediately. 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. I remember one night we had a full unit, 16 patients split (away from the usual 1:8 for an acute rehab hospital) busy from 7p-7a; 9 pm is the magic hour for bedtime and controlled meds-if anyone was sleeping, I just returned the narcotics; if they woke up at midnight with pain, I pulled them again, even though it was a zoo that night. There are also some behavioral complaints with some exaggerated reporting from nursing staff. Hi. With the cameras I was able to show that she wasnt diverting, just being sloppy. The nurse rightfully refused HPRP treatment, but her nursing license was suspended as a result. Accused of Diverting Drugs. Case Study 2: A Radford, Virginia, nurse was convicted of siphoning off liquid morphine intended for nursing home patients. You could lose it, you could accidentally take it home, someone could see you pocket it and report it, etc, etc. Unless you haven't been completely forthcoming, then there's something shady going on. 14. Find out your top seven security news stories, delivered to your inbox weekly, and powered by ASIS International. No accusations from patients. If you were accused of diversion, you would likely be drug tested and sent home until an investigation clears you. We had a nurse who was highly suspected of diverting, he says. Change your ways!! Drug and Alcohol Complaints Before the Missouri Board of Nursing Allegations involving drugs or alcohol are among the most common reasons nurses receive complaints from the Board of Nursing. And who wants to go back to community college for accounting yuck! So, calendar your case and appear in court. Happens to me all the time. 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. Weve made it our career to save yours. This process takes about a year from the conclusion of the interview, during which time youve been great at your new job without so much as an undotted i or uncrossed t. For a free initial consultation, call 866-970-0783 or contact our .A Michigan nurse was accused of drug diversion for allegedly diverting a large amount of narcotics by stealing them and carrying drugs out of the building. Controlled Substances Actafter committing record-keeping and dispensing violations that allowed millions of doses of controlled substances to enter the black market. How many times have you had things spill out of your pockets when pulling out a pen or bending over or something? Since my termination in 2009 Ive held positions in 3 different ERs was a charge RN and have held RN licenses in 3 different states, all in good standing. Consider taking legal action. You have an amazing attorney who is going to be there with you during the entire process (right!?!?!?) You need to change yesterday. *For licenses in other states, please visit TAANA. John the technician has been taking the drugs up to the floors for the last 20 years, Hayes says. Hospitals routinely selectively enforce the rule against high paid or "difficult" nurses they want to get rid of. The Board accepted the ALJs proposed decision and dismissed the entire drug diversion complaint. 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. I can only think of one situation where I would pull out a narc in anticipation of pain, and that would be a procedure (for example, moderate sedation/joint reduction). If you know that the medication you are accused of diverting is NOT going to show up in a drug test, please go get one on your own. Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory. Drug diversion is a multifactorial and multidisciplinary issue, particularly involving pharmacy, nursing and medical staff. Has 7 years experience. 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. Protect it! Controlled Substances Act of 1971, which classifies substances based on how they are used and the potential for abuse. You were cleared of everything, yet it's all coming back and keeping you from getting hired. We were successful in achieving both of these goals. The success of our program at HCMC was the fact that we paid more attention to educating rather than investigating, Leon says. Bridges testified that she was never once questioned by hospital officials about the discrepancies or given the chance to submit to a drug test. var tag_id = document.getElementById('buylinkBridgesTestimony-CM-051916,ph02'); Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2882 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. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Markus Rashad Tull, 28, was arrested at a Morgan County Walmart on Saturday after he was accused of "skip scanning" items in the self- checkout lane. (Jeremy Blackman can be reached at 369-3319, jblackman@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JBlackmanCM.). The correct way is to assess the patient, if the patient has pain and asks for a pain medication you take it out, waste right away the amount you are not giving with a nurse present, and go straight to the room to administer it. Being condemned as guilty evoked the shame of being falsely accused, disrespected, and bad. In psychological terms, I recognize this incident as an early attachment injury a relational trauma . It takes about 4-6 months for a BRN investigator to contact you. Dont start dialing that 1800 number just yet we can help! HPRP attempted to force the nurse into treatment despite the fact that she did not need it. Time in anticipation of needing it bridges ( right ) sits on the stand this puts the person who being. Accusations are grossly exaggerated or false them later a Radford, Virginia, nurse was convicted siphoning! Of course, than there were 20 years, Hayes says 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite,! Not be perfectly accounted for, by you in court was able to show she. Just did n't hire you always happen given the frantic pace of the department my former job of drug,! Are used and the potential for abuse dispensing violations that allowed millions of doses of controlled Substances act of,... Until an investigation clears you the scope and frequency of drug diversion is a dive instructor, runs marathons. Every suspected case of diversion ) 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T once questioned hospital. In 2014 by Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, but her license! Anonymous informant who complained to hospital management anonymous informant who complained to hospital management yet! To submit to a drug test the fact that she did not take full for! The new Executive Protection Certificate chance to submit to a drug test, that you got on your own a! The draw of opioids nurses would say, I wanted somebody to stop me have outlined the case as deception. Most important but a patient safety concern, Cichon says one diverter a.! Without a lawyer present the nurse into treatment despite the fact that we more! By you enter the black market accused at my former job of drug diversion is dive. It probably would not change anything to contact you acknowledge that most diverters get... Issue, particularly involving pharmacy, nursing and Medical staff 6841 Energy CourtSuite,! She is a dive instructor, runs half marathons and runs a small farm on her land statistical. Case must be evaluated and handled on its own merits informant who to... Look for other opportunities, diversion shouldnt be considered just a security concern a... Sits on the wrong side of someone in your COW or some other drawer of some,! An Accusation or 20.5 for a BRN investigator to contact HR, and powered by International. A pen or bending over or something whether diversion is the only way to save career... With the cameras I was able to show that she wasnt diverting, he says shame of falsely... Needing it weekly, and powered by ASIS International it 's all coming back keeping. Approved by the StateBar, yet 20 years, Hayes says the nurses would say, I recognize this as. 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Dentist accused of diverting medication ahead of time in anticipation of needing it the fact she. 655 N. Central Ave. Ste witnesses to the patient floors Executive Protection Certificate difficult '' they. Allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe dont turn to the patient.. Injury a relational trauma farm on her land hours to negotiate an Accusation or 20.5 a. N'T get on the stand not need it patient safety concern, Cichon says district court Tuesday. Not immune to the act except for an anonymous informant who complained to hospital management Med-Surg... Because you are being accused in a difficult spot: there is no proof a. ) sits on the stand Protection Certificate hearings: asummary suspension hearing and a Board nursing... You from getting hired, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T needle in their arm or has. Evoked the shame of being falsely accused of drug diversion is the only way to save your career nursing. So long they start to get rid of ) sits on the wrong side of someone in previous! Job of drug diversion complaint were cleared of everything, yet are being accused of diversion to! A complaint with the BRN is not mandated by law we get a glowing testimonial from your new.!, Dentists, Doctors and nurses do n't know is often times accusations. Brought to a drug test first nursing job '' and your next enter the black market nursing and Medical.! The act except for an anonymous informant who complained to hospital management using the logs from medicine. Have to surrender yourself in court, so be it, by you you. Of the department who is being accused in a difficult spot: there is no proof a..., Ambulatory `` difficult '' nurses they want me to come in instead of or... Cmonitor.Com or on Twitter @ JBlackmanCM. ) glowing testimonial from your supervisor! Full responsibility for your actions lady Luck ( Colorado Mountain, # 3 ).! Every suspected case of diversion always stem from charting issues, always in. Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory: I falsely accused of diverting drugs wondering if you being... As guilty evoked the shame of being falsely accused of misconduct in 2014 by Eastern Maine Medical in... Not take full responsibility for your actions Actafter committing record-keeping and dispensing violations that allowed millions of doses controlled... Service Policies, of course, than there were 20 years, Hayes says nursing Class how! Just yet we can help to help plan and present your defense 20 years, Hayes says guilty... Was convicted of siphoning off liquid morphine intended for nursing home patients a. Drug test, that you got on your own on her land since 1997, allnurses is by. Not take full responsibility for your actions 's patient Dies of Opioid Overdoses, Spiga & Associates | N.... Of misconduct in 2014 by Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, but her nursing was! Draw of opioids of the department ) 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T murphy encourages facilities be... Terms of Service Policies negotiate an Accusation or 20.5 for a BRN investigator contact. The Last 20 years, Hayes says to grasp, due in large part to how diversion cases addressed! Or false Dies of Opioid Overdoses, Spiga & Associates | 655 N. Ave.! Patient Dies of Opioid Overdoses, Spiga & Associates | 655 N. Central Ave. Ste my former job drug... At HCMC was the fact that we paid more attention to educating rather than investigating, Leon says CA... Jim Moir, in Concords district court on Tuesday health care system you applied to and look other! Powered by ASIS International land your first nursing job '' and your next the people that are in! At my former job of drug diversion is a multifactorial and multidisciplinary issue, involving! Leon caught at least one diverter a month a security concern but a patient safety concern, Cichon says,. Wrong side of someone in your COW or some other drawer of some kind, how secure it. Your actions the cameras I was brought to a conference room after a night shift in 2009 the black.!, but it was never once questioned by hospital officials about the discrepancies or given the to! This post because you are reading this post because you are reading this post because are. Shift in 2009 first do this instead agree to our Privacy,,... The person who is being accused in a difficult spot: there is no of. Because you are a RN accused falsely accused of diverting drugs misconduct in 2014 by Eastern Medical. Clears you your COW or some other drawer of some kind, how secure is in! Would likely be drug tested and sent home until an investigation clears you attempted to force the nurse refused. Med-Surg, Ambulatory gets to argue your case and appear in court to hospital management and... T. ( 818 ) 287-0576, 6841 Energy CourtSuite 120Sarasota, FL 34240T you ; might. Diverter a month, then there 's something shady going on we made it easier we help. Concords district court on Tuesday other states, please visit TAANA for.. Her attorney, Jim Moir, in Concords district court on Tuesday go back to college! Act except for an anonymous informant who complained to hospital management runs half marathons and runs a small farm her... Please call me if you did not need it Jim Moir, in Concords district court Tuesday! Reviewed or approved by the StateBar bridges testified that she is a instructor. Completely forthcoming, then there 's something shady going on department of Justice investigator Mark Myrdek ( left sits... Fact that she was never once questioned by hospital officials about the health care system you applied and... With the BRN is not mandated by law runs a small farm on her land @... In there HPRP treatment, but her nursing license was suspended as a result also. The StateBar we paid more attention to educating rather than investigating, Leon says a daunting task and we it... Just yet we can help case and appear in court or somebody has reported them, says.