By Trend News Line 2024-07-02 01:00:00.
The Scandal at Catholic Medical Center
Catholic Medical Center is facing a major scandal after allegations surfaced that it failed to properly keep track of opioids and other controlled substances. The U.S. Attorney, Jane Young, revealed that the medical center has agreed to pay a hefty sum of $300,000 to settle the accusations.
The Investigation Unveiled
The Drug Enforcement Administration launched an investigation into Catholic Medical Center after a troubling incident was reported. A registered nurse, Robin Nichols, was accused of swapping a dose of fentanyl meant for a patient with liquid saline and hydromorphone. Nichols later confessed to diverting the fentanyl for personal use.
A Year of Deception
Authorities further uncovered that Nichols had been stealing controlled substances, including fentanyl, on a daily basis for a whole year while working at CMC. Shockingly, she was even taking fentanyl from leftover medical procedures. This illegal activity highlighted the fact that Catholic Medical Center was not keeping accurate and complete records of wasted substances.
CMC’s Response
In response to the allegations, Catholic Medical Center has stated that they are fully committed to upholding the highest standards and maintaining a robust drug diversion prevention program. A spokesperson for CMC emphasized that upon discovering the incident, immediate action was taken, including notifying federal and state authorities and cooperating fully with the investigations.
Lessons Learned and Improvements Made
Despite the DEA’s inventory audit showing a compliance rate of 99.75% at CMC’s Pharmacy, the medical center has taken a proactive approach to review and enhance their processes. They are dedicated to continuous improvement and prioritizing patient safety above all else.
Final Thoughts
The scandal at Catholic Medical Center serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent controls and monitoring when it comes to handling controlled substances in healthcare settings. It also highlights the need for constant vigilance and ongoing efforts to prevent drug diversion. As CMC moves forward from this incident, they are focused on learning from their mistakes and ensuring that such lapses in protocol do not occur again..
– SEO violation settlement CMC Controlled Substances Act claims
– CMC settles Controlled Substances Act violation claims for $300,000.