YORK — York Hospital President and CEO Jud Knox said Wednesday that the alleged theft of medication by a York Hospital nurse did not have an impact on patient care.
“No patients had medication withheld, and no patients received a substitute medication,” Knox said in a prepared statement. “No patient was harmed as a result of the theft.”
The internal process for monitoring prescription disbursement is what detected the missing medication, and confirmed that no patients’ delivery of medication was altered, substituted or delayed, according to Knox.
Leader of Nursing Kathy Lane said the nurse did not display suspicious behavior or signs that she was under the influence of any kind while caring for patients. Leader of Pharmaceutical Care John Phylis added that the hospital’s prescription monitoring and reporting system, which detected the missing medications and led to the nurse’s firing from the hospital, is “both comprehensive and accurate.”
The Associated Press reported earlier this week that 45-year-old Nicolle Dauphinee of Kennebunkport was summoned to court next month to face a charge of stealing drugs. Authorities say Dauphinee stole hydromorphone, a narcotic painkiller, intended for patients, and injected herself at work.
The hospital alerted police on Sept. 15 that it suspected an employee of stealing drugs. Police say Dauphinee stole the drugs from June until September, according to the AP.
“We apologize for anything occurring at York Hospital that may have an impact on our patients’ and community’s confidence in us,” said Knox. “Our ability to provide excellent care in a safe, comforting environment for all of our patients and their families is the top priority, and we regret anything that disrupts those efforts.”
The hospital continues to review its medication handling processes and is prepared to implement any changes that will increase patient safety, Knox said.
Hospital leaders encourage anyone struggling with a substance abuse problem to contact their local substance abuse treatment program.
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