This post was originally published on this site
A nurse allegedly stole three Percocet tablets and 88 milliliters of Dilaudid while working at Caromont Regional Medical Center last year, according to arrest warrants.
Janice Herndon Abernathy, 56, of 710 Stanley Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia, was charged with larceny by employee. The alleged incident occurred between May 1 and May 7, 2016, and warrant was taken out for Abernathy’s arrest on May 12, 2016, but just served this week.
She was booked into Gaston County Jail on Wednesday and released on an unsecured bond a few hours later.
Abernathy worked as a registered nurse at CaroMont Regional Medical Center from June 2003 to May 2016, according to Kimberly Sain, director of public affairs for CaroMont Health, the parent company of CaroMont Regional Medical Center.
“During a routine medication audit, we discovered irregularities in Ms. Abernathy’s medication administration report. The incident was reported to the Gastonia Police Department and the N.C. Board of Nursing,” Sain wrote in an email in response to questions about the arrest.
“The safety and security of our patients and employees is our top priority. We have strict policies and procedures in place to safeguard the handling of prescription medications at CaroMont Health, including regular monitoring and audits for usage trends,” Sain added. “Our approach is thorough and in compliance with all regulatory bodies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.”
Abernathy could not be reached for comment.