Pittsburgh nurse accused of switching patient’s Oxycodone with sedative

PITTSBURGH — A registered nurse on the UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital has been arrested for stealing a patient’s Oxycodone prescription, in keeping with a press launch issued by the workplace of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

T. Hafner turned herself in to Pittsburgh authorities Tuesday, Shapiro mentioned. She faces expenses of Neglect of a Care-Dependent Person, Violations of the Controlled Substance Act, and Theft by Unlawful Taking.

Hafner is accused of switching her patient’s Oxycodone remedy with Lunesta, a sedative. Her actions denied the affected person vital ache aid, Shapiro mentioned.

“As we’ve seen in this crisis, we owe a debt to the thousands of medical professionals in Pennsylvania who are enduring a prolonged crisis to save lives and keep us safe, but when someone abuses that trust we will hold them accountable,” mentioned Shapiro. “This defendant abused her position when she stole medication from a patient and left them in pain. We will not tolerate the neglect of the vulnerable Pennsylvanians.”

The affected person, after realizing she was not getting ache aid from the remedy Hafner was giving her, stored one of the tablets, Shapiro mentioned. She later requested different hospital officers to establish it.

The officers mentioned the Lunesta was introduced in from exterior their facility, in keeping with Shapiro.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Jordan, Shapiro’s workplace mentioned. The investigation is ongoing. All expenses mentioned are accusations. The defendant is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.