I receive a large number of phone calls from Arizona nurses who have been accused of medication diversion. The typical fact pattern is:
- Nurse is called into a meeting by hospital management based on suspicion of medication diversion. The typical reasons for the meeting are because a co-worker complained, the nurse’s Pyxis transactions are suspect, or a patient complains that they did not receive pain meds or their pain level was not adequately assessed by the attending nurse.
- The nurse is suspended from work “pending an investigation” after the initial meeting.
- The nurse is called into management’s office and confronted about the results of the investigation and asked to explain.
- The nurse is terminated and subject to a Board complaint regardless of the explanation provided.
I hear about these scenarios frequently and nurses call me for help in deciding how to approach this significant employment issue.
Allegations of medication diversion fall into 2 categories.
- The complaint is defensible because it is the result of inaccurate medical/Pyxis records or poor record keeping
- The nurse does have a problem with medication diversion and needs assistance dealing with a legitimate addiction
Either way, a competent nursing board attorney can help you resolve your issues. If you are an Arizona Nurse facing a board complaint or employment situation alleging medication diversion you need the assistance of legal counsel.
Call David Klink today for a free confidential legal consultation
