A Pittsburgh nurse is behind bars after allegedly stealing a patient’s Oxycodone prescription and replacing it with a sleep aid—leaving the woman in agony. Tiffany Hafner, a registered nurse at UPMC Magee—Women’s Hospital, turned herself in on charges of Neglect of a Care Dependent Person, Violations of the Controlled Substance Act, and Theft by Unlawful Taking.
Hafner, whose actions came to light in November 2019, allegedly swapped the powerful painkiller with Lunesta, a sedative not prescribed to the patient. The victim, suffering post-surgical pain, noticed no relief and held onto one of the pills. She then alerted hospital staff, who confirmed the medication wasn’t part of the hospital’s supply chain.
Investigators say the Lunesta was brought in from outside the facility, directly implicating Hafner, who had access to the patient’s medication rounds. Authorities were notified and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General launched an investigation that led to her arrest in May 2020.
“This defendant abused her position when she stole medication from a patient and left them in pain,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “We will not tolerate the neglect of vulnerable Pennsylvanians.” Shapiro emphasized that while most healthcare workers are heroes, those who betray trust will face consequences.
The case is being handled by Senior Deputy Attorney General Katherine Jordan. Prosecutors stress that all charges are accusations, and Hafner is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Still, the incident has raised alarms over drug security and oversight in hospital settings.
UPMC has not released internal disciplinary actions, but the case remains under active investigation. As Pennsylvania battles an opioid crisis, the theft of prescription narcotics by medical insiders adds another layer of danger to an already fragile system.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: Pennsylvania AG
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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