Residents not receiving opioids

A South Carolina nursing home has found at least four residents were not receiving their opioid medications.

Brookdale Charleston noticed a resident was having medical issues in September. A urine test revealed the resident had not been receiving his medications. Three additional resident urine analyses were ordered, all of which tested negative for opioids.

The executive director told police she contacted the state, who advised her to file a police report, which she did with the Charleston Police Department in mid-December.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we contacted the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) when we learned there may have been a discrepancy with a resident medication,” said Heather Hunter, senior public relations specialist for Brookdale in January. “Under their advisement, we contacted the police for any additional assistance. As of this time, we don’t have any evidence of wrongdoing,”

The state is investigating the allegations.

Opioids must be checked out by a technician before being administered to residents. The incident report states that five employees “are linked to the possible thefts because they were the ones who checked out the medications.”

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.