The Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn
  • Home
  • About The Firm
    • Sample Cases
    • Resources
  • Practice Areas
    • Professional License Defense
    • Criminal Defense
    • Family Law
    • Personal Injury
    • Social Security Disability
    • Workers’ Compensation
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact
Select Page

Alteration of Prescriptions

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn | Nov 8, 2013 | Medical Licensing

I recently represented a registered nurse who was accused of altering a prescription. The nurse was employed at a local hospital in the outpatient surgery unit. The patient was given a prescription by a doctor for morphine 10mg. The pharmacist told the patient that the pill only came in 15mg. tablets. The patient conveyed this information to the nurse. The nurse contacted the doctor who instructed the nurse to write a new prescription for morphine15mg tablets and sign the doctor’s name to the prescription. The nurse made a note on the original prescription, writing on it “15”. Her intention was to contact her supervisor so that the doctor could write a new prescription.

When the nurse relayed this information to the supervisor, the supervisor saw that the number 15 was written on the prescription and reported the nurse to administration for altering a prescription. The hospital administration filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Nursing.

After our own investigation, we met with the investigator from the Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation and presented evidence that convinced him that the nurse had no intention of giving the altered prescription back to the patient.

The Board of Nursing dismissed the matter without filing any formal charges.

It is important to remember if you are confronted on the job about some type of diversion or alteration of a prescription or alteration of patient’s records, you should contact us before speaking to a supervisor. In many situations once a nurse is accused, he/she may be nervous and unsure of how to respond to certain questions.

49 Pa. Code Section 21.18 covers “THE STANDARDS OF NURSING CONDUCT”. This section dictates that a nurse shall not falsify or knowingly make incorrect entries’ into the patient’s record or other related documents. A violation of this section could result in a suspension or revocation of a license along with a $10,000 penalty.

Almost on a daily basis, I receive telephone calls from nurses who are accused of some impropriety by a hospital they work at. Many times, these accusations are baseless; however if they are not handled in the proper way, it can result in disciplinary action being initiated against the nurse.

In many cases, we are able to persuade the prosecutor not to file formal charges. This will prevent any marks on your nursing license and will also prevent any entries in the National Practitioner Data Bank.

Recent Posts

  • What qualifies as insurance fraud?
  • Opioid dependency, diversion and your nursing license
  • Those with a suspended RN license still have employment options
  • Can you lose your Pennsylvania nursing license because of a DUI?
  • Must you report your conviction to the Medical Board?

Archives

  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013

Categories

  • blog
  • Firm News
  • Injuries
  • Medical Licensing
  • OSHA

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

Reach Out To Us For Representation

Get a confidential assessment of your case.

Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn Logo
Review Us

Toll Free Phone

866-657-7318

Local Phone

215-268-7241

Fax

215-557-0087

Address

1420 Walnut Street
Suite 1200
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Map & Directions

Social Media

  • Follow
  • Follow
United States Court of Appeals Third Circuit Logo
Pennsylvania Bar Association Logo
United States District Court District of Pennsylvania Logo
United States District Court District of New Jersey Logo
New Jersey State Bar Association Logo

© 2021 The Law Offices of Brian E. Quinn. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters