F0602

E

Misappropriation and Diversion of Resident Oxycodone by LPN

Covington, Ohio Survey Completed on 02-23-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to protect residents from misappropriation of their controlled substances, specifically Oxycodone 5 mg tablets prescribed for four residents with conditions including COPD, type 2 diabetes, vascular dementia, chronic pain, chronic kidney disease, and inflammatory spondylopathy. These residents had active physician orders for Oxycodone and varying cognitive statuses, with some cognitively intact and others cognitively impaired. During a routine narcotic count, the DON identified alterations in the packaging of multiple controlled substances, including nicks and tears on the backs of bubble packs.

When the compromised medications were popped for waste, the pills inside were found to be unstamped white tablets that did not match the manufacturer markings of the legitimate Oxycodone tablets in other narcotic cards. Further review showed that 11 Oxycodone 5 mg cards were affected, with a total of 42 unstamped pills discovered in place of the ordered narcotic. Each compromised card was associated with residents who had active Oxycodone orders, and these residents were identified as potentially affected by the misappropriation of their medications.

Interviews and subsequent investigation revealed that an LPN admitted responsibility for the drug discrepancy and diversion of controlled substances. The LPN confirmed that she had been replacing Oxycodone 5 mg tablets with Melatonin 1 mg tablets in all 11 affected packages and that this diversion had been occurring within the last month. A police statement written by the LPN corroborated that she intentionally substituted the narcotic with a similar-looking medication to imitate the Oxycodone. The facility’s investigation substantiated misappropriation of residents’ controlled substances, confirming that four residents were affected by this diversion.