As the opioid crisis prevails, states have taken strict measures to reduce the use of these dangerous drugs. Attempts include limiting who may prescribe them, to what patients and in what doses, says Pharmacy Times. Massachusetts became the first state to restrict...
Medical Nursing
Reckless Prescribing and Death By Prescription
Every day medical practitioners confront complex and serious medical cases. Patients and their doctors face death every day of the week. In this opiate use and abuse environment, death is one pill, snort, injection, toke away. Doctors that prescribe heavy doses of whatever medication the patient request can be convicted of manslaughter.
Medical Professionals and Alcohol Use on the Job
Many nursing board prosecutions start from on-the-job claims of co-workers smelling alcohol on a licensee's breath while working or a nursing administrator thinking a licensee has slurred speech and seemed "scattered". Lets go get a drug and alcohol test....
IMPAIRMENT PROSECUTIONS – SAFE TO PRACTICE- FULL SUSTAINED REMISSION
Alcohol abuse, prescription pain medicine abuse, sleeping pill abuse, Adderall and ADHD medication abuse. Medical providers suffer from these disorders. However, if you go to work every day and professionally perform your care giving responsibilities should you...
CHRIA — Criminal Convictions, Expungments, License Applications
The Pennsylvania's Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 9124 controls how public and private entities use Pennsylvania criminal arrest and conviction records. CHRIA controls how potential employers and Pennsylvania's licensing boards may...
Drug Possession, Disorderly Conduct, Crimes of Moral Turpitude… Commonwealth Court Speaks Up
Today the Commonwealth Court issues another remarkable decision involving a Pennsylvania medical professional. Dunagan v. BPOA, 2019 WL 155879, is the third case in a row in which a Commonwealth Court panel has found a Pennsylvania medical related board engaged...
Licensure Applications — Disclosing a Record — Part 2 — Evidence of Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Redemption
In my last blog I wrote about real estate applicant who failed to disclose on his Real Estate Commission application a criminal conviction. Upon discovery the Commission revoked his license and the Commonwealth Court approved of the action. Today's blog involves the...
The Immediate Temporary Suspension and 180 Time Limit
Board prosecutors file petitions called an Immediate Temporary Suspension ("ITS") petition to temporarily and immediately suspend licensees ability to practice their profession. These petitions are typically reserved for Drug Act investigations or sexual assault...
Professional License Defense — Counsel and the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence
On February 28, 2019 Commonwealth Court issued a decision reversing a Pennsylvania Medical Board order reprimanding a physician. The order reprimanding the physician stems from a medical malpractice case. The patient died and the Medical Board accused the physician of...
The PHMP, Kevin Knipe, Pharmacy Board, and an Abuse of Discretion
The PHMP, it's caseworkers, and director Kevin Knipe's treatment of licensees is a major topic of my blogs and website. I routinely field inquiries regarding false positive drug tests, chain of custody issues, and other PHMP claimed violations. How do I get out of the...