Misappropriation of Resident Narcotic Medication by Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident’s belongings by not preventing the theft of narcotic medication prescribed for pain management. A resident with diagnoses including paranoid schizophrenia, hyperlipidemia, dementia, chronic pain, and anxiety had an order for hydrocodone-acetaminophen 7.5-325 mg every 8 hours as needed for pain. An LPN later reported that this resident had three narcotic medication cards and three narcotic count sheets when she left work, but upon her return, only two cards and two count sheets remained. The pharmacy confirmed that the resident should have had three narcotic cards and three corresponding count sheets. Video evidence reviewed by the Administrator showed an LPN removing narcotics from the narcotic drawer of the medication cart, taking a narcotic count sheet, placing both between other papers, and exiting the building to her car with the items. The video further showed the LPN returning to the facility with only two pieces of paper and no medications. The missing narcotic medication card was later found at the LPN’s home according to a police investigation. The facility’s abuse and unusual occurrence policy defined misappropriation of resident property as the deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful use of a resident’s belongings or money without the resident’s consent, and the events described met this definition for misappropriation of the resident’s narcotic medication.
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