Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF NURSING
Respondent: JOANNE B. DEANDRADE, R.N.
Judges: J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Tampa, Florida
Filed: Jan. 08, 2016
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, February 19, 2016.
Latest Update: Nov. 14, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
PETITIONER,
Wo CASE NO. 2014-06149
JOANNE B. DEANDRADE, R.N.
RESPONDENT.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT.
Petitioner, Department of Health, by and through undersigned
counsel, files this Administrative Complaint before the Board of Nursing
against Respondent, Joanie B. Deandrade, R.N., and in support thereof
‘dleges:
1. Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the
-Practice of nursing pursuant to Chapters 20.43, Florida ‘Statutes (2013-
2014); Chapter 456, Florida Statutes (2013-2014); and Chapter 464,
Florida Statutes (2013-2014),
2. At all times material to this Complaint, Respondent was
licensed as a registered nurse within the State of Florida, having been
issued license number RN 9216355.
3. Respondent's address of record is 3749 Woodridge Place, Palm
Harbor, Florida 34684.
4, At all times material to this Complaint, Respondent was
employed by Mease Countryside Hospital (“MCH”), doing business at 3231 _
McMullen Booth Road, Safety Harbor, FL 34695,
5. On or about April 14, 2014, while Respondent removed
approximately 39 dosage units of Dilaudid from a Pyxis machine! at MCH.
Respondent failed to document the administration, waste, or any other
disposition of the Dilaudid.
6. Dilaudid is the brand name for hydromorphone and is
prescribed to treat pain. According to Section 893.03(2), Florida Statutes
(2013-2014), hydromorphone is a Schedule II controlled substance that
has a high potential for abuse and has a currently accepted but severely
restricted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of
* Pyxis machines, or Pyxis MedStation systems, are automated drug dispensing machines used
to access medications and ensure that they are properly handled. The machines document
which medications are dispensed for particular patients and include information about the
medications’ dosage and form. Furthermore, Pyxis machines record the times medications are
dispensed and the names of the staff members dispensing them. Employers often use Pyxis
machine reports to assist in determining whether staff members are diverting controlled
substances,
DOH v. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. 2
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
hydromorphone may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
7. On or about April 17, 2014, MCH scheduled Respondent to
work a nursing shift. On that day, Respondent arrived at MCH at
approximately 6:00 a.m., removed 18 dosage units of Percocet and 10 vials
of Dilaudid from a Pyxis machine, and promptly left the premises.
8. Percocet is the brand name for a drug that contains oxycodone
and is prescribed to treat pain. According to Section 893.03(2), Florida
Statutes (2013-2014), oxycodone is a Schedule IT controlled substance that
has a high potential for abuse and has a currently accepted but —
restricted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse of
oxycodone may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. ,
9. On or about April 17, 2014, Deputy KS. of the Pinellas County
Sheriff's Department made contact with Respondent at her residence.
10. Respondent admitted to Deputy K.S. that she diverted the
Percocet earlier that morning. Respondent further admitted to diverting
controlled substances from MCH for approximately one year.
i. Deputy K.S. arrested Respondent, who at that time was in
possession of 14 vials of Dilaudid, 17 a units of Percocet, and 1
dosage unit of alprazolam.
DOH v. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. 3
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
12. Alprazolam is prescribed to treat anxiety. According to Section
893.03(4), Florida Statutes (2013-2014), alprazolam is a Schedule IV
controlled substance that has a low potential for abuse relative to the
substances in Schedule III and has a currently accepted medical use in
treatment in the United States. Abuse of alprazolam may lead to limited
physical or psychological dependence relative to the substances_in
Schedule IIL,
13. On or about August 27, 2014, Respondent underwent a
Department-compelled physical and mental: evaluation with M.S., M.D., an
Intervention Project for Nurses (“IPN”)-approved evaluator. Dr. M.S.
diagnosed Respondent with opioid dependence, in early full remission.
14. IPN is the impaired practitioner program for the Board of.
Nursing, Pursuant to Section 456.076, Florida Statutes (2013-2014), IPN
monitors the evaluation, care, and treatment of impaired nurses. IPN
oversees random drug screens and provides for the exchange of
information between treatment providers, evaluators, and the Department
for the protection of the public.
15. Opiate, or opioid, drugs have similar actions as the drug opium
and are typically prescribed to treat pain. Opioid drugs are synthetically
DOH v. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. 4
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
manufactured, while opiate drugs are naturally occurring, but the terms
opioid and opiate are often used interchangeably. Opioid drugs are
addictive and subject to abuse.
16. Based on Respondent’s evaluation, Dr. M.S. concluded that
Respondent “is not safe to practice nursing at this time with reasonable
skill and safety,”
COUNT I
17, Petitioner. realleges paragraphs 1 through 15, as if fully set
forth herein.
18. Section 464.018(1)(i), Florida Statutes (2013-2014), authorizes
the Board of Nusiag to impose discipline, including restriction, against a
licensee for “engaging or attempting to engage in the possession, sale, or
distribution of controlled substances as set forth in chapter. 893, for any
other than legitimate purposes authorized by this part.”
19, Respondent violated Section 464.018(1)(i), Florida Statutes
(2013-2014), by possessing one or more of the following controlled
substances without a legitimate purpose:
(a) Dilaudid;
(b) Percocet; and/or
DOH vy. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. : 5
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
(c) alprazolam.
COUNT It
20. Petitioner realleges paragraphs 1 through 15, as if fully set
forth herein.
21. Section 464.018(1)(j), Florida Statutes (2013-2014), authorizes
the Board of Nursing to impose discipline, including restriction, against-a
licensee who is unable to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety
to patients by reason of illness or use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, or
chemicals, or any other type of material or as . result of any mental or
physical condition.
22, Respondent violated Section 464.018(1)j), Florida Statutes
(2013-2014) by being unsafe to practice with reasonable skill and safety to
patients due to opioid dependence.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that the Board of
Nursing enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties:
revocation or suspension of Respondent's license, restriction .of practice,
imposition of an administrative fine, issuance of a reprimand, placement of
the Respondent on probation, corrective action, refund of fees billed or
DOH v. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. 6
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
collected, remedial education, and/or any other relief that the Board deems
appropriate.
SIGNED this Sed __ day of November, 2014.
John H. Armstrong, MD
State Surgeon General
and Secretary of Health
Shoshana Silver
Assistant General Counsel
DOH Prosecution Services Unit
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-65
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3265
Florida Bar No.: 93035
P: (850) 245 — 4444 x 8103
F: (850) 245 — 4662
shoshana.silver@fihealth.gov
PCP: November 3, 2014
PCP Members: Kathryn L. Whitson; Barbara Kemp
FILED
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPUTY CLERK
CLERK Angel Sanders
DATE NOV 03 2014
DOH v. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. 7
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Respondent has the right to request a hearing to be
conducted in accordance with Section 120.569 and 120.57,
Florida Statutes, to be represented by counsel or other qualified
representative, to present evidence and argument, to call and
cross-examine witnesses and to have subpoena and subpoena
duces tecum issued on his or her behalf if a hearing is
requested,
Respoeene| is paced « on notice me Petitioner has incurred
matter. Pursuant to Section 456. 072(4), Florida Statutes, the
Board shall assess costs related to the investigation and
prosecution of a disciplinary matter, which may include
attorney hours and costs, on the Respondent in addition to any
other discipline imposed.
DOH v. Joanne Deandrade, R.N. 8
DOH Case Number 2014-06149
Docket for Case No: 16-000070PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 19, 2016 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 18, 2016 |
Joint Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
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Feb. 16, 2016 |
Order Granting Mental and Physical Examination.
|
Jan. 20, 2016 |
Amended Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for March 15, 2016; 9:30 a.m.; Tampa and Tallahassee, FL; amended as to video and date of hearing).
|
Jan. 20, 2016 |
Order on Motion to Shorten Time.
|
Jan. 19, 2016 |
Unilateral Response to the Initial Order and Request for Reconsideration of Notice of Hearing filed.
|
Jan. 19, 2016 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jan. 19, 2016 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for February 8, 2016; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee, FL).
|
Jan. 15, 2016 |
Motion to Shorten Respondent's Response Time to Petitioner's Request to Undergo Mental and Physical Examination Pursuant to Rule 1.360, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure filed.
|
Jan. 15, 2016 |
Undeliverable envelope returned from the Post Office. 2 addresses are listed for Respondent. Removed the address that was not correct, which is the one that was returned mail.
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Jan. 14, 2016 |
Petitioner's Request for Respondent to Undergo Mental and Physical Examination Pursuant to Rule 1.360, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure filed.
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Jan. 14, 2016 |
Petitioner's Request for Respondent to Undergo Mental and Physical Examination Pursuant to Rule 1.360, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure filed.
|
Jan. 12, 2016 |
Notice of Appearance of Co-Counsel (Jenna Partin) filed.
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Jan. 11, 2016 |
Initial Order.
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Jan. 08, 2016 |
Notice of Serving Petitioner's First Request for Production, First Set of Interrogatories, and First Request for Admissions to Respondent filed.
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Jan. 08, 2016 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Jan. 08, 2016 |
Election of Rights filed.
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Jan. 08, 2016 |
Agency referral filed.
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