Local Nurse Suspended By State For Allegedly Stealing Meds

MICHIGAN — A local nurse is accused of stealing controlled substances, among many violations, state officials announced.

The Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) served an order summarily suspending the registered nurse license of Rana Holman, of Dearborn Heights, for several possible violations including attempting to obtain or possess a controlled substance or drug without lawful authority.

“LARA strives to protect patients from health care professionals who violate the law,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “The license of this health professional was suspended to safeguard the public.”

LARA’s administrative complaint against Holman alleges the following:

• Holman diverted pre-filled syringes of hydromorphone and confessed to replacing the stolen hydromorphone syringes with syringes filled with ketorolac.
• She entered the facility’s medication room on days she was not scheduled to work and accessed the narcotics cabinet.
• On one occasion, facility staff observed surveillance footage of Holman placing a pre-filled hydromorphone syringe in her purse.
• Facility staff inventoried its supply of pre-filled hydromorphone syringes and found that 23 syringes appeared to have been tampered with.
• 16 patients received medication from the stock of syringes that she had stolen from. These patients complained of uncontrollable pain associated with their procedures.

The Michigan Public Health Code provides for summary suspension of licenses when the public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action. An order of summary suspension is a temporary measure to protect the public and not a final determination that a licensee has violated the Public Health Code.