Authorities remain in the dark regarding ‘drug incident’ reports

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/03/authorities_remain_in_the_dark_regarding_drug_incident_reports

Authorities remain 
in the dark regarding ‘drug incident’ reports
Matt Stout Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The disclosure of at least 660 incidents of drugs going missing or getting stolen from Bay State hospitals and other medical facilities last year may not fully capture the scope of the problem, according to law enforcement officials and experts, who fear that reporting remains in the “dark ages” amid the national opiate scourge.

“I think there has to be more mandatory protocols in place,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, whose office reached a record $2.3 million settlement with Massachusetts General Hospital last year amid allegations nurses were stealing thousands of prescription pills from the facility.

~snip~

A Herald review of 
so-called “drug incident” reports found losses aren’t restricted to hospitals, where 237 reports were generated. Department of Public Health records include 131 reports at long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, and nearly 300 others for everything from visiting nurse companies to animal hospitals.

In all, DPH either launched or referred roughly 320 probes to other boards or agencies. Local and state police can also be involved in investigations, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration. But a spokesman for the federal agency said the number of reports of “significant” losses made to the DEA are considered “internal” and aren’t released publicly.