On Saturday, Kimberly Jeanne Burgans, a 47-year-old nurse and former employee of St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, Colo., surrendered at the Summit County Sheriff's Office. Ms. Burgans is accused of stealing the powerful narcotic pain medication fentanyl from the hospital, according to The Denver Post.
St. Anthony reportedly fired Ms. Burgans on Jan. 27. Several days later, sheriff's deputies were contacted and informed that Ms. Burgans tested positive for fentanyl. According to The Post, three charges were filed against the former nurse on March 9: two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance by deceit and a charge of misdemeanor theft.
According to The Post, St. Anthony issued a statement assuring that their organization conducted an internal investigation "and found there is no reason to believe that any patients were harmed or compromised in this situation."
District Attorney Bruce Brown's office will be conducting a separate investigation to determine potential harm experienced by patients as a result of Ms. Burgans' theft and personal use of fentanyl without a prescription.
In the same statement relayed by The Post, St. Anthony said it "has clear clinical guidelines and policies surrounding the safe handling, dispensing and disposal of narcotics. Our number one priority is always the care and safety of our patients."
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