ICU Nurse Accused of Taking Fentanyl From Patient's IV

An ICU nurse is accused of taking fentanyl from a critically ill patient’s IV infusion even though she was not assigned to that patient’s care.

Leslie Ann Pope, 54, of Jupiter, Florida, was arrested Oct. 8 after an investigation into two encounters at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie. A family member had reported concerns to hospital staff, according to police.

The family member was with the patient when the first incident occurred on June 24, according to Port St. Lucie police.

A Family Member Reported What They Saw

The witness told investigators that Pope removed fluid from the patient’s fentanyl infusion and left the room with it, police said.

She allegedly returned the following evening and approached the IV equipment again. This time, the family member intervened.

Investigators reviewed hospital video that they said showed Pope handling the equipment. They could not determine whether additional medication was taken during the second encounter.

Police Reviewed Hospital Records

Detectives began investigating in August. Their work included witness interviews, video review, medical and administrative records, medication transactions and coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Pope faces three felony charges: grand theft of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and fraudulently obtaining a controlled substance.

According to a police spokesperson quoted by Law&Crime, Pope denied unlawfully taking drugs from patients or using them herself. The allegations have not been proven at trial.

Hospital Confirms She No Longer Works There

Treasure Coast Newspapers reported that Pope was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on Oct. 10 after posting $150,000 bail.

A Cleveland Clinic spokesperson said she no longer works at the hospital and that the facility is cooperating with law enforcement.

References: ICU nurse accused of stealing fentanyl from critically ill patient at Tradition hospital | Florida nurse accused of illegally removing fentanyl from patient IV | ‘Not standard procedure’: ICU nurse caught stealing fentanyl from ‘critically ill’ patient’s IV with syringe, police say

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