Local nurse charged with taking painkillers intended for patients

A nurse from Waterford has been charged with fraudulently obtaining painkillers from the Erie hospital where she worked.

[Santas Helper]

Well boys and girls she can sit next to the coke snorting cop in REHAB!

[Crystal]

well no I guess not....

[lakerman1]

Let's wait for the facts here. Medical professional addiction is a special kind of problem, and I would want to know a whole lot
more before I would say anything harsh.

[Not Fair]

People like this make life hell for people in real bad pain, like fibromyalgia, back fractures, etc., it's harder and harder for the people that need it to get it when junkies and trusted nurses steal the stuff. There's even old people out there that sell their meds that they allegedly need and that, too is abuse, diversion and makes it even harder. No wonder doctors are scared to write prescriptions even to seriously hurt patients...

[american girl]

Popel with fibromyalgia should not be on addictive painkillers. Please don't spread that myth. I realize people are--but they are contraindicated and evidence shos they do not work. As far as this nurse goes, depending on the study--it is said that perhaps 1/3 of all medical professionals fall victim to drug abuse at some time. The stats often match those of the general public. What angers me is that this happens to a nurse and it is front page headlines. I cannot even BEGIN to count how many docs I know who are or have had drug addiction probems..including LECOM residents. Yet, the doc club stick together and the person quietly disappears to go to rehab--or nothing--theyjust look the other way. Before I got into helathcare, I remember being at a downtwon bar and a man--who I later learned is a surgeon--offering my beutiful friend some benzos and narcotics to get high on. She wasn't ever a druggie and declined. Wonder how many people took him up on his offer.

[Sad]

I went to do a repair job for an elderly woman yesterday, and low and behold, when I went into her home, I saw this visiting CNA rummaging through her bedroom things which I must have shocked, as she was startled seeing me come in to fix a toilet for the woman, who was sitting in a living room chair laid up, with a lapfull of prescription meds she had to take..

[Lucky]

Unfortunately, this report seems to have been capitolized for someone to get some publicity. I suspect that this young lady #1 Has a family #2 As been already said, No different than a lot of people in the heathcare profession. Doctors included.#3 Had acess, temptation and a need.#4 Maybe the safegaurds for prevention are inadequate.#5 Judge not, least you be judged.#6 Why, the publicity?#7 Locks only keep honest people honest.

[american girl]

Lucky wrote:

Unfortunately, this report seems to have been capitolized for someone to get some publicity. I suspect that this young lady #1 Has a family #2 As been already said, No different than a lot of people in the heathcare profession. Doctors included.#3 Had acess, temptation and a need.#4 Maybe the safegaurds for prevention are inadequate.#5 Judge not, least you be judged.#6 Why, the publicity?#7 Locks only keep honest people honest.

all good points; if the media truly cared about her and patient outcome--it would not have been publicized. when nurses have charges against them, the stae board of nursing puts strict sactions on them--and judge each peron separately. some lose thier license. healthcare agencies are notified of the sactions or the loss of license via their newletter. further, healthcare agencies must verify licensure prior to hire--so it isn't like she will not have severe penalties.

[american girl]

Sad wrote:

I went to do a repair job for an elderly woman yesterday, and low and behold, when I went into her home, I saw this visiting CNA rummaging through her bedroom things which I must have shocked, as she was startled seeing me come in to fix a toilet for the woman, who was sitting in a living room chair laid up, with a lapfull of prescription meds she had to take..

I am curious about your concern--was it for her rummaging (maybe you misinterpreted) or the meds. CNAs do not give meds and so it would not have been inappropriate for the CNA to have left her to take the meds on her own. GECAC, home health agencies do assessments and unless someone is in the waiver program-meaning in need of 24 hour care as would be provided in a nursing home but the family chooses to support the person at home--the woman needs to be able to self administer. CNAs can get into serious trouble for practicing outside their training. CNAs are not professionals and do not hold a license. They have a certificate that they can get with as little as 75 hours of training. In home care, no training is required in the state of PA--only long term care has such requirments.

[Crystal]

How dare you say that CNA's are not professionals. Do you even know what C.N.A. even stands for! Oh and yes they are allowed to give meds! They are not allowed to administer narcotics! Just because most nursing homes, and hospitals do not allow it does not mean that they don't and are not allowed! Do you know how much work it is to be a CNA? Believe it or not they are the back bone of every Nursing home and or hospital. You should really show some respect! Instead of disrespect!

You want to know an answer about your family member ask there aid not the nurse that has to go look it up in a book!

american girl wrote:

<quoted text>I am curious about your concern--was it for her rummaging (maybe you misinterpreted) or the meds. CNAs do not give meds and so it would not have been inappropriate for the CNA to have left her to take the meds on her own. GECAC, home health agencies do assessments and unless someone is in the waiver program-meaning in need of 24 hour care as would be provided in a nursing home but the family chooses to support the person at home--the woman needs to be able to self administer. CNAs can get into serious trouble for practicing outside their training. CNAs are not professionals and do not hold a license. They have a certificate that they can get with as little as 75 hours of training. In home care, no training is required in the state of PA--only long term care has such requirments.