Hospital nurses sanctioned for drug irregularities, theft and alcohol abuse – Iowa Capital Dispatch
Hospital nurses sanctioned for drug irregularities, theft and alcohol abuse Iowa Capital Dispatch
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An Iowa-licensed nurse surrenders license following multiple violations
An Iowa-licensed nurse, Rachel Faith Martinez, has agreed to surrender her license after being accused of multiple violations related to her work at three hospitals. The actions taken against Martinez by the Iowa Board of Nursing in 2022 have raised concerns about patient welfare and adherence to medical protocols.
Violations and Disciplinary Actions
- Martinez administered medications to hospital patients at a higher frequency than ordered.
- Martinez failed to document any pain assessments for certain patients.
- Martinez was fired from another unidentified hospital for similar concerns.
In response to these violations, the Iowa Board of Nursing placed Martinez’s license on probation for six months starting in October 2022. However, Martinez was immediately hired by another undisclosed hospital after the probation period began.
Continued Violations and Allegations
- Martinez allegedly procured controlled substances without documenting their administration.
- Martinez is accused of giving patients multiple as-needed medications simultaneously or within minutes of each other, disregarding proper protocols.
- Martinez distributed medications in a manner that did not conform to physician’s orders.
- The hospital’s management received reports from staff that Martinez’s patients were over-sedated.
The Iowa Board of Nursing charged Martinez with acts that may adversely affect patient welfare and failing to accurately assess and document patient status. As a result, Martinez and the board recently reached a settlement agreement, with Martinez relinquishing her license and her right to practice nursing in Iowa. She will be eligible to apply for reinstatement after one year.
Other Nursing Board Actions
Kevin Call of Utah
Kevin Call, a licensed nurse from Utah, has agreed to relinquish his right to practice in Iowa after being charged by the board with misappropriating patient medications. Call had previously faced similar accusations in Utah, where he admitted to using a patient’s ATM card without permission and taking money from multiple patients. Call’s nursing license in Montana was subsequently revoked, and he surrendered his Utah license. However, his Utah license was reinstated in 2017 after five years of probation.
Kathryn Stange of Des Moines
Kathryn Stange, a nurse from Des Moines, has agreed to have her nursing license placed on probation for two years. The Iowa Board of Nursing charged Stange with excessive alcohol use that could impair her ability to practice nursing safely and effectively. Stange has been convicted of drunken driving on three occasions, with the most recent conviction occurring in November 2022. Police records indicate that Stange was found intoxicated with a blood-alcohol level well above the legal limit during the incident.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses violations related to the work of nurses in hospitals, including administering medications incorrectly and failing to document assessments. These issues are connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The violations can have negative impacts on patient health and well-being. Additionally, the article mentions the Iowa Board of Nursing taking disciplinary actions against the nurses, highlighting the importance of strong institutions and justice, which are part of SDG 16.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
- SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
The violations discussed in the article relate to the need for achieving universal health coverage and ensuring access to quality healthcare services and medications (SDG 3.8). The nurses’ actions highlight the importance of developing effective and accountable institutions (SDG 16.6) to address and prevent such violations.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.8: Proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines on a sustainable basis.
- Indicator for SDG 16.6: Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but the violations related to medication administration and documentation can be used to measure progress towards the target of ensuring access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines (SDG 3.8). The actions taken by the Iowa Board of Nursing reflect the existence of an institution responsible for addressing violations and ensuring accountability, which aligns with the indicator for SDG 16.6.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines. | Proportion of the population with access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines on a sustainable basis. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. | Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles. |
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Source: iowacapitaldispatch.com
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