Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center recently fired a 20-year-old worker for felony theft charges.
What did she take? Prescription drugs from elderly residents at the facility.
The drugs in question were fentanyl patches, which the worker stole from at least two residents. She initially took them from the trash, but moved on to stealing from the patients themselves.
This has become a large problem in the state of Minnesota over the last few years. According to the Duluth News Tribune, the state Department of Health recently announced a “road map” and “tool kit” designed to “improve health care providers’ controlled substance storage and security.”
The Tribune says that the road map “is a collection of about 100 best practices for preventing and responding to prescription drug thefts,” including things like camera surveillance in high-risk areas and using bar codes for tracking.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by mismedication at a care facility, contact the Kosieradzki Smith Law Firm online or call us toll free at (877) 552-2873 for a free initial consultation.
