The DEA is pursuing hospitals and how they store and keep records regarding controlled substances. We expect to see more cases against hospitals since they are able to pay large fines to the government.
On March 27, 2009, the United States reached a settlement with Kino Hospital in Tucson stemming from an audit and an investigation conducted after several doses of controlled substances were discovered missing from the hospital in early 2004.
As part of the settlement, commencing in fiscal year 2009/2010, Kino Hospital committed to fund $1,000,000 over the course of the next five years to establish a three-prong drug abuse prevention initiative that will benefit the Tucson area community.
The investigation leading to the settlement was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson.
Any questions or comments should be directed to: tgreen@greenassoc.com. Tracy Green is a principal at Green and Associates in Los Angeles, California. They focus their practice on the representation of licensed professionals and businesses in civil, business, administrative and criminal proceedings, with a specialty in health care providers.
