Nurse Terminated After Diversion Investigations

A nurse’s license to practice as an LPN in South Carolina was suspended by Administrative Suspension of License on March 15, 2018.

From around September to October 2018, while employed at Patewood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Greenville, South Carolina, the nurse was investigated for diversion of Hydrocodone from two patients. Also, the nurse had taken narcotic log sheets from the facility and had not returned them.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that in October 2018, an additional 30 tablets of Norco was missing for a patient. After a complete search, the Norco for both patients was not located. However, neither patient missed any doses of medication as the facility replaced the missing Norco at their expense.

During the facility’s investigation, it was noted that the the nurse’s license was under suspension from a Board Order dated March 15, 2018. The nurse did not inform the facility that her license was suspended. The nurse asserts that she was unaware of her suspension until the facility informed her.

The nurse completely denied drug diversion and had no knowledge of missing Hydrocodone. However, she did take the narcotic sheet and other documents home when she left due to a personal emergency.

Only two months later, she was working at Elite Home Care until July 2019, when the nurse walked in an application to reinstate her license. On the Reinstatement Application, the nurse answered “No” regarding any unresolved or pending complaints having been filed against her and failed to disclose the pending case against her. In addition, the nurse forged the signature of a co-worker on the Employer Certification form and falsely answered questions. At this point, Elite Home Care discontinued employment with the nurse.

The nurse’s license was placed on probation and she was fined $1,500.00.