Nurse Calling In Scripts to Pharmacy Illegally

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a question and a concern. There is a nurse where I work that calls in prescriptions to the local pharmacies for anyone that wants one. Not for narcotics or anything like that but if someone needs a refill for their lasix, or an antibiotic called in she will take it upon herself to call it in. She uses a the name of a doctor that she says will always cover her. She doesn't check with this doctor, she just uses his name.

So staff or friends will call her to call in a script for themselves or a family member and she does it. This happens on a daily basis.

If fact I was having some symptoms of a UTI and mentioned it to someone else and next thing I know this nurse came to me and said she called me in some Bactrim and I should go pick it up after I got off work. She had no idea of my allergy status (I'm not allergic but still). And I have never seen this particular doctor before.

My concern is I know this is illegal and normally I try to mind my own business but what is my legal responsibility. I'm pretty sure our Nurse Manager knows about this.

Specializes in L&D, OR, ICU, Management, QA-UR, HHC.

Thanks to all for your advice. I wanted to hear from nurses but in an anonymous way. And I appreciate all the comments. I have since talked with a few friends and family (psychologist, lawyer-nonmedical type, and an HR person, again non-hospital) and the consensus of opinion is to get away from the situation. This situation has existed long before I got there and I'm not the clean up crew. That's what my lawyer friend said. Also as some of you pointed out this woman is not stable, and is either crazy or criminal or both and it's not up to just me to fix her and this situation. I do plan to call the BON and ask a hypothetical question and see how involved I would have to get to report this. I'm also going to put in for a transfer to one of the other floors, (we only have one med-surg floor, OB, ICU and ER) so my prospects are limited. I was really looking forward to working at this little hospital as the OB Dept was low risk and well equipped and fairly well staffed, but oh well.

Specializes in ICU/PACU.

If the nurse manager isn't doing anything, I would speak to do the doctor about it. Just tell him that she called in a prescription for you, under his name, and are you okay with that? He needs to know.

She picked up the abo?!? Wow. You are so involved now. Go to the nursing board and report everything about your case specifically. Only report other times she did this if you have names/dates. That is the only way you can protect yourself. And yes she did this on purpose to get you involved. Screw talking to your NM about this.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Your lawyer friend may be correct within the law, but we also have moral and ethical boundaries to observe.

Call the BON, tell them you have become aware of a situation that needs clarification, tell them the details that you personally know (calling and picking up a script with no MD involvement).

You aren't the clean up crew? Who knows but that you have been put there for a reason? She is dangerous, in more ways than one. "Admin is afriad of her" why? because no one is willing to stand up for what is right. The BON exists for just this type of situation. Restraining orders exist for this type of person.

Side line quarterbacks have it easy, I know. But ask yourself, do I do the right thing, or the easy thing that leaves others at risk.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I say leave it alone. It sounds like this is the culture of the workplace. Let the nurse and the doctor work it out between themselves, without interfering in their relationship. Nurses fill out paperwork for doctors all of the time, and then just have the MD sign it. At our hospital, we fill out restraint order forms for them and just bring it to them to sign; because it's expected. Just leave it alone.

And you are not legally responsible to report this either. Mandatory reporting applies in cases of elder abuse, child abuse, etc.

She's not filling out paperwork. She's prescribing medication to co-workers under a doctor's authority without the doctor's knowledge or consent. It's unethical and dangerous. So I don't care whether mandatory reporting specifically mentions that exact thing or not.

Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).

WOW. More and more shocked by nursing in this country.

Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

You're going to wake up with a kidney missing and find it in a ice chest in her house...and that's if you wake up at all. Ruuuuuun!

For me, I just would not want anyone calling a prescription into the pharmacy without my knowledge or consent. And I am curious as to where she got your information to do so? From the computer? Then that is a HIPAA violation. Further, if the pharmacy didn't question who she was prior to picking up said prescription--when you said the antibiotic was only $4.00, that leads me to believe that she must have used your insurance to purchase the same. Which takes a signature to do so. She could be picking up any number of prescriptions in your name. And under your insurance. You really need to speak to someone about this to protect yourself. Because when the bus comes round, you will be thrown under it, as this person is taking on your identity in which to obtain prescriptions. So you now know that at this particular Walmart, she is portraying Nurse42long. And a phone in prescription could be done by anyone--and I am willing to bet that de-Nile ain't just a river in Egypt as who is to say that all of the nurses and friends that she calls for did not do this all themselves? No one. That's an issue to say the least. Make sure your identitiy is protected. Make sure you are mindful of your insurance claims for prescriptions. Make sure you let the pharmacy know about this. And make sure you speak to a legal person that can assist you with all of this.

Specializes in Emergency, ICU.

This whole situation is scary. And, to top it off, this is a small rural hospital. Meaning this is also a tight knit small town. Double whammy!

Can you move?

If you can't, then I'd be very cautious of reporting her as it could get ugly quickly.

I would definitely go to this pharmacy, and all nearby pharmacies, and alert them that prescriptions in your name should only be dispensed to you or someone who has power of attorney to do so for you. Put that in writing. Also call your insurance and check on all meds they've paid for recently. I do have a feeling this gal is into something with the prescriptions...

What a terrible spot to be in! I'm sorry.

And I can't believe this person gets away with this! She's practicing medicine without a license. Is she married to this doctor? That's the only thing that I could think of that would allow for her to be doing this for so many years. Scary.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I think your family and friends have given you good advice nurse42long, this problem is not yours to fix. If you contact the BON, beware they are not concerned about advising you, they are concerned about defending public safety. To get personal advice about whose duty it is to report, phone a lawyer who specializes in defending nurse licenses.

Valuing your own personal safety over duty is not wrong. The employer is aware of the situation, they have the ability to hire lawyers and security guards for protection but they haven't dealt with her, that says a lot about their fear of her.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Thanks to all for your advice. I wanted to hear from nurses but in an anonymous way. And I appreciate all the comments. I have since talked with a few friends and family (psychologist, lawyer-nonmedical type, and an HR person, again non-hospital) and the consensus of opinion is to get away from the situation. This situation has existed long before I got there and I'm not the clean up crew. That's what my lawyer friend said. Also as some of you pointed out this woman is not stable, and is either crazy or criminal or both and it's not up to just me to fix her and this situation. I do plan to call the BON and ask a hypothetical question and see how involved I would have to get to report this. I'm also going to put in for a transfer to one of the other floors, (we only have one med-surg floor, OB, ICU and ER) so my prospects are limited. I was really looking forward to working at this little hospital as the OB Dept was low risk and well equipped and fairly well staffed, but oh well.

I empathize, I really do. However, what will you do when the inevitable happens and someone who isn't willing to turn a blind eye DOES report this chick? And not just to the BON, but to the police?

Or how about when someone (God forbid) dies as a result of Rambo nurse's practice of medicine? Say from an anaphylactic reaction? Think about how you will feel while the criminal investigation gets underway.

You are inextricably involved, with evidence that you not only were aware of the crime, but also participated, as the Bactrim "evidence" will show.

I really don't think that ethically or legally, you have the luxury of running away. Consult a non-family member attorney, hopefully one who is familiar with the BON and the medical community.

If she is still taking orders, I can be reached at LoL!

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