Misappropriation of Resident Narcotics by Nursing Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident's right to be free from misappropriation of property, specifically regarding the diversion of 23 Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen 10 mg tablets. The incident involved two LVNs, where one LVN diverted and sold the resident's prescribed narcotic medication to another LVN for personal use. The misappropriation was discovered when a nurse was unable to locate the resident's pain medication or the associated count sheet after the resident requested her PRN pain medication. The nurse then medicated the resident from the facility's emergency supply and reported the missing medication to facility leadership. The resident involved was an older adult admitted for a left hip device dislocation, with a history of pain requiring opioid medication, frequent incontinence, and moderate to substantial assistance needed for daily activities. The resident's care plan included interventions to manage pain and monitor for complications related to her surgical wound. Despite these interventions, the resident's prescribed pain medication was diverted, and the medication count and documentation were not properly maintained, leading to the discovery of the missing narcotics. Interviews and record reviews revealed that the two LVNs involved were suspended after drug testing and internal investigation. One LVN admitted to stealing the narcotics, while the other admitted to purchasing them for personal use. The facility's policies required end-of-shift narcotic counts and proper documentation, but these procedures were not followed, resulting in the misappropriation of the resident's medication.