Nurse Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison, for Tampering with Painkillers
Nurse Pleads Guilty, Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison, for Tampering with Painkillers
A registered nurse pled guilty to tampering with vials and syringes of injectable hydromorphone at the Detroit hospital where she worked.
A registered nurse pled guilty in United States District Court to tampering with vials and syringes of liquid painkiller at the Detroit hospital where she worked.
According to court documents, Mary Cheatham, 42, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, a registered nurse who previously was employed in the critical care unit at a hospital in Detroit, Michigan, removed vials and syringes of injectable hydromorphone from the medication dispensing machines, by extracting the hydromorphone using syringes, and then replaced the saline-filled vials and syringes into the unit’s medication dispensing machines. Cheatham’s tampering took place between March 2020 and August 2020. Cheatham knew the vials and syringes of hydromorphone were intended to be administered to patients for the purpose of pain relief in the critical care unit of the hospital.
Cheatham’s sentencing is scheduled for January 18, 2023. Cheatham faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The Court will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Approximate date(s) of the diversion:
03/01/2020
Where the Diversion Occurred:
DMC Sinai Grace Hospital
6071 Outer Dr W, Detroit, MI 48235
Type of Healthcare Facility:
Hospital
Person Diverting:
Mary Cheatham
Profession of the person diverting:
Nurse
Has the incident been reported?
e.g. to local law enforcement, county board of health, state licensure board, and/or federal DEA or FDA authorities?
Yes
To whom has the incident been reported?
Local Law Enforcement, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Licensure Board (Nursing, Pharmacy, or Medical Board)
