Incidentcase209

A judge sent a Kentucky nurse to prison for tampering with drugs while working in a Roanoke hospital.

The investigation that led to charges against Joseph Edward Howard found vials with diluted fentanyl and glued-on caps at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, a court filing said.

Howard, 34, of Catlettsburg, a traveling nurse who had been assigned to the MRI and imaging departments, pleaded guilty to tampering with a consumer product while ignoring the risk of death or serious injury to another person. Friday in Abingdon, U.S. District Court Judge James Jones sentenced Howard to three and a half years.

Howard’s uncle, Michael Blanton, told the judge his nephew needs treatment. The case “clearly illustrates the hold that narcotics can have on an otherwise good person,” according to Blanton’s letter, which was filed with the court. Blanton, a retired police officer, added: “We are aware that even with professional health care treatment, this is going to be difficult for him to overcome. We all fear the worst Joseph if he does not get the necessary treatment and find a way to overcome this serious disease.”

In late 2017, staff at the Roanoke hospital found fentanyl vials with signs of tampering and Howard fell under suspicion, according to an affidavit by special agent Darren Petri with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation. Supervisors asked him to step out of a medical procedure he was assisting. But on the way to a room for drug testing, he descended a staircase, went to his car and left the hospital property, the filing said.

Carilion triggered a federal investigation by reporting the suspected tampering to authorities. A lab examined 22 vials. Of them, 20 had glue in the area of the top stopper. Another irregularity, multiple puncture holes, indicated the placement of liquids “back into the vial,” the filing said. The contents of 10 vials were analyzed; all 10 contained little fentanyl when tested, Petri’s filing said.

An investigation found that all or most of the tampered-with vials had been pulled from inventory by Howard. Authorities think the tampering happened between Nov. 6 and Dec. 19, 2017, the filing said.

In June 2018, two investigators went to Kentucky and confronted Howard with the evidence. He did not deny his guilt and instead shared details of his crisis, the detective’s filing said. Howard underwent drug treatment, relapsed and seeks further treatment in prison, his defense attorney said.

Kentucky has suspended Howard’s nursing license, according to online information.

Toward making amends, Howard briefed authorities on what he saw as “security weaknesses” in drug controls in the Carilion hospital that allowed him to tamper, Beck said. He hoped his disclosures would help prevent other medical workers from doing what he did, according to Beck.

Carilion spokesman Chris Turnbull declined to comment on Howard’s case, citing the privacy with which the health system treats personnel matters.

“Sadly, addiction problems are pervasive in our country and health care professionals are not immune. Our employees are vigilant and know what to do when a discrepancy is noticed,” Turnbull said by email.

Asked about the alleged weaknesses in drug control, he released a statement that read, in its entirety, “It’s standard practice for us to review our procedures following rare occurrences like this. We continuously improve our systems based on our own internal findings and input from trusted third-parties.”