Nurse Found Passed Out with Propofol IV

On May 2, 2019, while employed in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at Conway Medical Center (CMC) in Conway, South Carolina, a nurse diverted Propofol (Diprivan) for her personal use from a patient that had Propofol infusing. Specifically, the nurse was discovered by staff on the floor in a patient’s room with an IV in her arm and a syringe containing a white milky substance, namely Propofol, connected to the IV tubing. The nurse was taken to the emergency department (ED), evaluated and released by the ED physician. The nurse was asked to submit to a “for cause” drug screen which came back negative. Meanwhile, the nurse was also discovered passed out in the same patient room on May 1, 2019.

On or about May 15, 2019, the nurse enrolled with the South Carolina Recovering Professionals Program (RPP). She was referred to Coastal Recovery Center for an assessment and evaluation. The nurse received a no diagnosis for a substance use disorder but was diagnosed with major depression. The nurse was recommended for one year of monitoring.

On or about June 11,2019, the nurse provided a written statement to the investigator at the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Office of Investigations and Enforcement, (LLR/OIE) and acknowledged that she diverted Propofol for herself twice. There is no allegation of any patient harm.

The nurse took full responsibility for her actions and expressed remorse.  In October 2021, the nurse’s license was reinstated after successful completion of the terms and conditions of the Consent Agreement, including regular assessments, extra training, and completion of requirements outlined by the Recovering Professional Program (RPP).