UPMC Altoona nurse fired, charged over possible diversion of drugs

(WTAJ) — A nurse with UPMC Altoona was fired and later charged over the possible diversion of controlled substances in late 2023, the Office of the Attorney General (AG) said.

Beth Eyer, 42, of Cassandra, was charged after an investigation in which she allegedly said she failed to document the administration of controlled substances to several patients, but said she never diverted any of the drugs, the AG office reported.

Unit Directors at UPMC were alerted Dec. 27 that Eyers failed to document numerous things for eight different patients, including their morning medications, according to charges filed. She allegedly also failed to document head-to-toe, vascular and skin assessments.

On Dec. 28, Unit Directors were alerted that Eyer had dispensed and wasted Oxycontin with a patient and delivered another drug but didn’t document it, the charges read. It was also noted that Eyer wasn’t assigned to that patient.

Eyer was suspended Jan. 5 after an interview with UPMC supervisors, the AG office said. She was later terminated from employment on Jan. 24.

On March 28, Eyer interviewed with the AG Region IV State College office where she allegedly admitted to failing to document the administration of controlled substances. She remained adamant that she didn’t divert any of the drugs.

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Eyer was officially charged with refusal to keep records by the AG office. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 5.

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