EMT Article
Kentucky - Regional EMS changes policies to ensure safety, prevent drug tampering
http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/85611237.html
PADUCAH, KY - Mercy Regional EMS says it's made several changes since it was discovered a former EMT tampered with drugs last year. The criminal charges against the former worker came after an internal investigation at Mercy Regional revealed evidence of drug tampering. That investigation lead to terminations, suspensions and several changes to keep staff and patients safe. As a result, the Mercy Regional now is not the same place it ws several months ago. Since that investigation, administrators put several safeguards in place to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
"The ambulance service today is just as safe as it was Monday and it will continue to be safe in the months and years to come," said Mercy Regional Executive Director Jamie Locke.
Locke says safety at Mercy Regional starts with security. Narcotics are now stored in secure lock boxes inside every truck. Instead of a standard key, it takes a key card like this one and a personal identification number to get to the medicines. The two-step system means not everyone has access to the drugs and let's supervisors track paramedics and drugs they dispense.
In addition, random drug screenings are now routine for all staff. Security in and outside both locations is upgraded too. Besides new policies and procedures, Medical Director Dr. Irvin Smith says another level of comfort comes from a thorough review of electronic medical records dating back to the time of the crimes.
"I found no evidence that patients received any tainted medication. Found no evidence that there were any untore patient effects from any of those medications that they could have possibly have recieved," said Dr. Smith.
Kentucky State EMS Director Bob Hammonds reviewed Mercy's response and says it was appropriate.
February 26, 2010
An advanced narcotic control and accountability system is put in place after someone tampers with their drugs. They say the audit ...”found no evidence that patients received any tainted medication.” Frankly, I disbelieve. If there’s no smoking gun, the medical director can say “no evidence is found.” Even if someone denies getting relief, the medical director can simply say, not everyone gets relief from this drug so that’s not proof they got water.
What would they consider “Evidence”?
A spent container saved after patient administration, handled utilizing law enforcement chain of custody protocols?
Anything else wouldn’t be proof right? At least according to the defense attorney.
I applaud them for making changes. Let’s hope others learn from them and make changes before something happens that forces them to.
-Alton 03-17-10
