Hospital Thefts Noted Earlier

Christchurch Hospital changed its drug protocols because of concerns over morphine theft, says a senior manager.

Police are investigating the theft of drugs from the hospital after nursing staff found some had been replaced with water or diluted.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey, of the Christchurch police, said pain-relief drugs had been stolen over a month, but could give the amount.

Police were reviewing hospital processes for accessing and dispensing drugs, he said. The drugs were for pain relief, and while affected patients would have suffered greater pain levels, no patient missed out on vital medication for their condition.

Christchurch Hospital pharmacologist Evan Begg said management was suspicious a few years ago that morphine in sealed plastic bottles was being sucked out through a needle and the remainder diluted with water. The hospital updated its policy to buy glass ampules wherever possible, he said.

(c) 2008 Press, The; Christchurch, New Zealand. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.