Who steals pain medication from an 83-year-old? This Florida nurse, the state says

A licensed practical nurse resigned from a Naples’ senior living facility after being caught on video stealing Percocet, the Florida Department of Health says.

That’s in the emergency restriction order (ERO) put on the license that Karin Procopio-Cotton acquired 20 years ago this month.

According to the ERO, Procopio-Cotton worked at Solaris Senior Living when an 83-year-old resident referred to as “C.S.” got transferred to the assisted living part of Solaris in February.

On April 8, video captured Procopio-Cotton taking a 30-count bubble pack into a medication room, where she transferred them to a bottle. She then wrapped the empty blister pack in paper and tossed it into the to-be-shredded bin.

Solaris’ Director of Nursing called Procopio-Cotton in on April 21, the ERO said, to talk about the Percocet. When a drug screen was requested, Procopio-Cotton gave too small a sample then refused to give another sample. She also refused, the ERO said, to check out the video when given the opportunity.

Instead, she resigned from Solaris. The ERO now prevents Procopio-Cotton from working as a practical nurse in any setup that gives her access to controlled substances.

A coke-sniffing, gas-inhaling doctor kept practicing after ordered to stop, state says

The COVID-19 case bounce has changed the date and place of the Florida Bar exam