Staff member accused of taking narcotics from patients at skilled nursing facility
DEER RIVER, Min. – A staff member at Essentia Health – Deer River, 24-hour skilled nursing facility, is accused of taking “narcotic pain medications from the resident’s medication supply for personal use”. The investigation revolved around medicine intended for three patients.
One patient had been receiving medication because they “experienced almost constant pain”. The investigation report from the Minnesota Department of Health reads that patient had taken oxycodone “for a long time and knew the taste. Federal investigator notes indicated [patient R1] reported he thought on one or two occasions the medication he received from the [staff member] was not his oxycodone.”
The facility’s records showed the staff member signed out oxycodone tabs for that resident “twenty-seven times, however, twenty-five of the doses were not documented” in the residents electronic medication administration record.
A second patient was taking morphine for pain management. The Minnesota Department of Health report says that same staff member signed morphine tabs out “eleven times, however, eleven of the doses were not documented in [the patient’s] electronic medication administration record as administered.”
A third patient in the facility experienced pain “almost constantly” due to a broken leg. They were prescribed oxycodone. The Minnesota Department of Health report says, “[staff member] signed oxycodone tabs out from [the patient’s] supply fourteen times, however, thirteen of the doses were not documented [as being administered].”
A fourth patient was also prescribed tramadol for pain management. The staff member was assigned to that patient and the logs were correct for tramadol.
The Minnesota Department of Health report says facility leadership met with the staff member and the staff member “displayed concerning behaviors.”
The report continues to say that the staff member admitted to taking the medication but only the “as needed medications” and never took any scheduled medication from patients. The report also says the staff member would ask to work in the areas with patients that “had the highest concentration of as needed oxycodone”.
Facility leadership stated prior to this incident they had no complaints or concerns with the staff member.
The Minnesota Department of Health report says there were “Substantiated” claims of financial exploitation by the staff member. That means someone “uses, withholds, or disposes of funds or property of a vulnerable adult”.
The report says the staff member is no longer working at Essentia Health – Deer River.
Essentia gave FOX21 a statement about the incidents, “This employee is no longer with Essentia Health. The conduct referenced in a recent report from the Minnesota Department of Health is inconsistent with Essentia’s values and mission to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. We are reviewing our internal practices and protocols to help ensure that incidents like this do not occur in the future.”
The case was referred to The Office of Ombudsman for Long Term Care, The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, Itasca County Attorney, Deer River City Attorney, Deer River Police Department and Minnesota Board of Nursing.
The name of the staff member was not in listed the Minnesota Department of Health report.
