Former Armstrong County nurse arrested for allegedly diverting prescription drugs
HARRISBURG -- Narcotics agents from the Attorney General's office today charged an Armstrong County woman accused of diverting prescription pain medication from the hospital where she worked.
(PressZoom) - HARRISBURG -- Narcotics agents from the Attorney General's office today charged an Armstrong County woman accused of diverting prescription pain medication from the hospital where she worked.
Attorney General Tom Corbett identified the defendant as Tricia Haugh, 37, 140 Tartan Drive, Kittanning, Armstrong County. Haugh was a certified registered nurse anesthetist at the Brookville Hospital.
Corbett said that Haugh allegedly took out larger amounts of medications from the hospital's pharmacy than necessary to treat her patients. These drugs included highly addictive prescription narcotics Diprivan, Flumazenil and Fentanyl.
According to court documents, In October 2009 Haugh, while working as an anesthetist in the hospital operating room was seen singing and talking to herself, was unable to remain still, had pinpoint eye pupils and tried to hide from co-workers.
The charges state that Haugh was immediately removed from the operating room and asked to take a drug test, which she declined.
Corbett said that a sealed syringe, a full and sealed vial of Diprivan (Propofol) and a full and sealed vial of Flumazenil (Romazicon) were found in Haugh's employee locker.
Agents found that between August 2009 and Oct. 1, 2009 12 out of 21 patient records had discrepancies in Fentanyl administration during their procedures.
According to the criminal complaint, in one instance Haugh indicated on her Anestesia Narcotic Administration record the removal of 300 mcg of Fentanyl, but had documented the administration of only 200 mcg on the patient's record.
Haugh is charged with 12 counts of falsifying records, two counts of illegally obtaining Fentanyl and one count of possession of Fentanyl.
Haugh was preliminarily arraigned before Brookville Magisterial District Judge Richard Beck and released on her own recognizance.
Corbett thanked the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office and Brookville Hospital for their assistance with the investigation.
Haugh will be prosecuted in Jefferson County by the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.
(A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.)
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