Drug theft by health care workers has become so common that it accounts for nearly one-fifth of all abuse cases affecting elderly Minnesotans, the state Department of Health reported Monday.
In a sign of growing concern over the abuse of prescription drugs, state officials began a separate count of "drug diversion" incidents for the first time in their latest report on neglect and exploitation of vulnerable Minnesotans.
State investigators examined 192 allegations of drug theft during the 12 months ending in June 2014; they substantiated 27 cases perpetrated by 14 health care workers.
In some cases, nursing home staff replaced patients' oxycodone or Vicodin with over-the-counter pills; in others they forged documents to obtain medications.
"Drug diversion and prescription abuse is a growing area of concern nationally and in Minnesota," state Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said in a statement. "We want patients to be aware of the possibility of drug theft, we want workers to know it will not be tolerated, and we want providers to help prevent it by using best medicine management and tracking practices."
Overall, the agency substantiated 141 cases of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults during the period.
In a 2014 incident disclosed Monday, a staff member removed a narcotic pain-relieving patch from a patient experiencing chronic pain, the Health Department report said. The employee at Cerenity Care Center in St. Paul lifted a bedsheet off a resident and removed a fentanyl patch from the resident's back and then left the facility. The staff member, who was not scheduled to work in the resident's room, was reported to police, the Health Department said.
About 70 percent of the substantiated cases of employees stealing medication from residents took place in nursing homes, the report said.
