Nurse Fired in Drug Theft at Billings Clinic

A Billings Clinic nurse was fired after he was caught stealing narcotics intended for patients.  KTVQ.com reports that the hospital disclosed the drug diversion late Tuesday afternoon, after contacting 341 patients who may have been affected.  Billings Clinic reported the matter to state and federal authorities, who are now investigating for possible criminal prosecution.

In yesterday’s statement, Billings Clinic said it learned that the former nurse in its Cardiac Cath Lab had been stealing the synthetic opioid Fentanyl, more than 50 times more powerful than heroin, since October 2016.  The identity of the nurse who has been terminated wasn’t released, other than to say the former employee started working at the Clinic in August 2016.  Clinic officials described the drug theft, saying for the last five months the nurse exchanged Fentanyl with saline, a sterile saltwater solution.