A former nurse at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill, a state facility in Smyrna, was arrested on March 21, 2014 by the Delaware Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The nurse was charged with three felony counts of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud or forgery, seven counts of second-degree forgery and one count of falsifying a business record. After arraignment the nurse was released on an unsecured bond, which is a condition of release rather than a penalty.
According to the Attorney General's office, the investigation began on March 19, 2013 when a hospital administrator reported to the Smyrna Police Department that an employee had been illegally obtaining oxycodone, a prescription opioid painkiller intended for patients. Smyrna police turned the matter over to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which investigates abuse, neglect, drug diversion and financial exploitation in facilities that receive Medicaid funding.
Investigators alleged that between February 1 and March 18, 2013 the nurse forged the signatures of other registered nurses and licensed practical nurses on controlled-substance sheets, making it appear that the oxycodone had been administered to patients. The state alleged the nurse instead kept the drugs for personal use. These were allegations at the time of the announcement, and the release did not describe a plea, conviction or licensing outcome.
In announcing the charges, the Attorney General said healthcare professionals taking medication meant for their patients had contributed to rising prescription drug abuse in Delaware and that such conduct can endanger patients and drive fraud costs for Medicaid and private insurers. The office encouraged anyone aware of Medicaid fraud or patient abuse in nursing homes and similar facilities to report it to the Delaware Medicaid Fraud Control Hotline, which accepts anonymous tips.