Missing meds & I'm getting the blame

[ForeverMoving]

Hi! I'm brand new to the boards but have lurked for years. Forgive me if I say or do the wrong thing here.

I've been an RN for 11+ yrs and have 5 yrs inpatient hospice experience. I started home hospice 8 months ago and found it VERY different. Emotionally I had a difficult time. I was stressed to the point that it was affecting my health, I couldn't eat, my IBS was consistently flaring up and I'd lost 40+ lbs in the past year.

To make a long story short, I took a much needed vacation in early July and when my family saw me they were startled and very worried. Several people talked to me about the stress that I've been under and if I should consider another field for now. I finally agreed and called my boss. She was okay with it. I'd recently decreased my patient load, our census was down, so another nurse was able to pick up my case load and I didn't have to work out a notice. Perfect, right? I stayed home with family for 3 more weeks and rested and can already tell it was the stress that was doing me in.

When I returned to the town I live in, I had to go to the hospice office and turn in all of their equipment, patient supplies I had in my car, and so on. That's when I find out that a bottle of Lortab was missing from one of my patient's home. The DON said she was waiting for me to return it. Now, my last day before leaving for vacation was very busy as I was trying to get my patients all set for my 10 day absence (I very much baby-ed them) and it was a crazy day but I'm sure I took that Rx to the patient. BUT, the nurse that followed me says the Rx is not there. Now, in this home are two patients we see...one with CA with mets to the brain and the other with Alzheimer's. There are other workers from our agency in the home: the social worker, CNA, chaplain, this new nurse. But my DON says since I was the one to pick up the med from the pharm and deliver and now it is missing, she has to report it to the state BON!!! I have NEVER in my life diverted a single pill.

Now I have no idea what to do. Does anyone have any idea what my punishment might be? What should I be doing to prepare? Should I get a lawyer??

Any advice would be much appreciated. Part of me isn't afraid because I know I'm not at fault but another part of me worries that the BON will tear me apart. I worked hard for that license and this is my livelihood we're talking about! I have no intentions to return to work in our current state...it's time for a break and to focus on my family...but I don't want this to affect me when I am ready to work again!

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

The OP said it was a missing BOTTLE of lortab. All the hair follicle tests in the world would not prove she did not sell the pills. Proving she did not use the drug does not prove she did not divert. I'm absolutely not suggesting that she did, I'm just pointing out that she can't be proven innocent with a drug test. The situation could easily turn ugly...consulting a lawyer would be a smart move at this point, IMO.

Hoping for the best for you, OP.

This is exactly what I was going to say. If they prove you didn't INGEST them, they may still claim you stole them. It also may be automatically reportable to your BON. If that's the case.....well, it likely won't end well.

OP, I'm sorry you're in this situation. I know how you feel. It's a helpless, hopeless feeling.

[LUV ALZ]

A hair follicle test will prove without a doubt that you did not imbibe the drugs (they run around $200.00) this will tell what drugs you have been taking and their levels, which will indicate if they are in the therapeutic range or not. Then you tell them "here is a list of all of the medications I have been prescribed by Dr. So & So, now tell me I'm an addict or in denial!" Also point the high volume of people who had access to the drug after you dropped it off, including the nurse that followed you!

[nola1202]

Lawyer,Lawyer,Lawyer. Start with a letter from the lawyer requesting all details of how, when, where Narcotics and meds are to be picked up, and safegarded in the home. How do you know if a drug seeking relative didn't pick up and take or sell the medication. Perhaps this is a matter for a police investigation. I'd hit em hard with any detail that can be used to your advantage. You are in my thoughts and prayers.