An Iowa nurse has had her license temporarily suspended as she faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing patient medications and being under the influence of drugs while on duty.
In April, the Iowa Board of Nursing charged the nurse with misappropriating patient medications, practicing nursing while impaired, failure to properly safeguard or secure medications, and unauthorized possession or use of a controlled substance.
According to the board, the nurse was working an overnight shift at an unspecified care facility in December 2023 when emergency medical services were called to check on her. At the time, she was reportedly exhibiting signs of impairment, including slurred speech, an inability to maintain balance, and episodes of twitching and falling asleep.
When law enforcement officials arrived, they allegedly found a narcotic tablet in one of her pockets and another on the floor near a medication cart. Furthermore, four pills that the nurse had checked out could not be located or accounted for. Subsequent testing revealed that she was positive for opiates, oxycodone, and cannabinoids, none of which had been prescribed to her.
To resolve the allegations, the nurse and the board have agreed on a 90-day suspension of her license, followed by a 24-month probation period. As part of her probation, she will be required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation, submit to mental health counseling, and abstain from any use of alcohol or nontherapeutic drugs.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Substance use disorders affect approximately 10–15 percent of the general population in the United States, and nurses are not exempt from this statistic. Given their access to medications in healthcare settings, it is estimated that around one in ten nurses may struggle with substance use disorders. This underscores the need for healthcare facilities to implement proactive diversion-prevention programs to mitigate risks and ensure patient safety. Failing to establish such programs can lead to serious consequences, including diminished quality of patient/resident care, significant legal and ethical issues, and potentially severe citations when diversion problems are discovered. Nurses who divert medications often use sophisticated methods to conceal their actions, making early detection challenging. To effectively combat drug diversion, healthcare facilities must focus on identifying high-risk medications, recognizing signs of diversion, and monitoring indicators of nurse impairment. By addressing these areas proactively, facilities can better safeguard against the negative impacts of drug diversion and maintain high standards of care.
Discussion Points
- Regularly review and update your policies and procedures on preventing, identifying, and responding to drug diversion. Ensure they reflect current best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Provide comprehensive training for appropriate staff on preventing, identifying, and responding to drug diversion. Education should include the impact of drug diversion on residents, highlighting it as a form of abuse and neglect; staff responsibilities for reporting suspicions immediately; and the legal and ethical consequences of diverting controlled substances. Document all training sessions and place signed acknowledgment forms in each employee’s education file. Med-Net Academy offers three PowerPoint training programs in our Substance Use category; visit MNA to access these resources.
- Conduct periodic audits to ensure that all controlled substances are accounted for at each shift change and that proper documentation is maintained. Involve your consultant pharmacist in the auditing process to ensure thorough oversight.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, Inc. for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
