Drugs Diverted from PA Hospital?

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Leftover cocaine and lidocaine disappeared from a hospital in the Poconos and some of the lidocaine was diverted to a staff surgeeon, apparently for use in his off-site medical practice.
Those were the conclusions in a report from the state Health Dapartment on the Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono.
The recently released report on the 235-bed hospital in East Stroudesburg states that in four of 11 cases reviewed, there was no record that excess cocaine was properly disposed or wasted as required under the facilities own policies.
The cocaine cases occurred between July 8 and Sept. 7 of this year, according to the report.
The missing or excess lidocaine, the state surveyors learned during interviews with staff members, had been given to a hospital surgeon for use in his private practice.
The facility "failed to ensure excess lidocaine was not taken for personal use or use by others," the report states. The state surveyors noted that hospital records showing the disposal of the excess drugs did not exist.
In a plan of correction filed with the state, hospital officials said a face-to-face re-education session was held with the person responsible for handling the excess drugs.
In addition the hospital contacted the surgeon in person and by mail to immediately cease taking drugs from the hospital.
Hospital officials did not respond to questions about the report.
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