UPMC Altoona Nurse charged for stealing Oxycodone and replacing with Vitamin D
UPMC Altoona Nurse charged for stealing Oxycodone and replacing with Vitamin D
A registered nurse at hospital was charged for stealing Oxycodone tablets and replacing them with Vitamin D tablets
A registered nurse at UPMC Altoona was charged for stealing Oxycodone tablets and replacing them with Vitamin D tablets, according to investigators.
Court documents show that 39-year-old [Nurse] is facing a felony charge and two misdemeanors related to the incidents.
Agents with the Attorney Generals office say UPMC police were notified in Nov. of suspected drug diversion that had been occurring on the 11th floor.
Staff had noticed that packaging for Oxycodone 10 mg tablets had been tampered with, the complaint says.
Staff reported that the packaging appeared to have been cut open and replaced with similar looking tablets, investigators say.
According to the complaint, the tampering happened several more times, so the hospital audited the 11th floor staff and noticed several red flags regarding [Nurse].
Agents say they interviewed [Nurse] and she admitted to taking the Oxycodone tablets and replacing them with Vitamin D tablets.
[Nurse] said she took the tablets to help her sleep, investigators say.
[Nurse]’s formal arraignment is scheduled for July 23, 2021
Approximate date(s) of the diversion:
06/18/2021
Where the Diversion Occurred:
UPMC Altoona
UPMC Altoona, Howard Avenue, Altoona, PA, USA, 16601
Type of Healthcare Facility:
Hospital
Person Diverting:
Dena Pacifico
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
