Were Residents Drugged? North Carolina Nursing Home Residents Test Positive for Opiates
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Chapel Hill Police Department are investigating after several residents at The Britthaven of Chapel Hill tested positive for opiates.
The Britthaven of Chapel Hill, a nursing home facility located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has had problems with patient care in the past. The facility notified authorities after a resident's blood tests revealed unprescribed opiates. Other residents of the facility's 29 bed Alzheimer's unit displayed signs of lethargy and underwent testing. Opiates were found in the blood of at least two more residents, who were immediately admitted to the hospital.
No drugs were missing from the facility, but the investigation continues. The regular staff of the Alzheimer's unit has been temporarily replaced with staff from corporate offices and other facilities.
Britthaven has had problems in the past at this facility. Prior to this incident, the facility was placed on the "Special Focus Facility" list belonging to the Medicare due to persistent and uncorrected conditions involving poor care. As a result, the facility receives a bi-annual inspection, rather than an annual inspection.
