Miami's HCA Florida Mercy Hospital uncovered the culprit in a case of missing Propofol when they found Groennou Nieves, one of their own nurses, collapsed in a hospital bathroom with a needle in his leg. Nieves, who has been a registered nurse since December 2020, had no previous history of disciplinary issues. However, he was apparently struggling with a substance abuse issue that led him to pilfer narcotics from the hospital supply.  

Don't delay if you're facing license discipline. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online. 

The Nurse's License Has Been Suspended 

Pursuant to the discovery and a subsequent complaint from the Florida Department of Health, Florida's state board of nursing suspended Nieves' license. The next steps for Nieves will be determined by the Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN), which is contracted to assist the board with mental health and addiction issues among Florida's licensed nurses. 

First, Nieves will be subject to an evaluation by the IPN. If they determine he needs no further treatment, Nieves' license will be suspended until January 2025, at which time he'll be reinstated with an additional year of probation. If the IPN determines Nieves needs further treatment, he must comply with their recommendations and then pass another IPN evaluation before his license is reinstated. 

Missing Propofol and A Surprising Discovery 

Propofol is a powerful sedative that is used to prepare patients for surgical procedures by inducing a state of relaxation and, eventually, sleep. However, Propofol's effectiveness is a double-edged sword because when misused, it can be addictive—or even fatal. Hospital staff, who work under extreme amounts of stress, sometimes turn to sedatives like Propofol as a coping mechanism. Accordingly, hospitals keep tight controls on their propofol supply. 

The Florida Department of Health complaint against Nieves says Mercy Hospital staff asked him to take a “reasonable cause drug screen” after discovering 50ml of missing Propofol. After initially complying with the request, Nieves went into a hospital restroom, presumably to take his drug test. 

The complaint then notes that after hearing a “loud thump” from inside the restroom, HCA staff discovered an unconscious Nieves on the restroom floor with an IV catheter in his leg. The missing Propofol was discovered in the IV line. Nieves' failure to respond to the Department of Health complaint allowed Florida's Board of Nursing to accept the complaint allegations as fact, which resulted in the automatic suspension of Nieves' license.  

Nurse Nieves Had Legal Options He Didn't Take 

No licensed professional wants to be hauled in front of their disciplinary board on charges of misconduct. However, ignoring a complaint or allegations of misconduct from the Florida Department of Health is the worst thing you can do. Formally responding to disciplinary charges preserves your right to the presumption of innocence and due process. You also have the right to professional nursing license defense in Florida. 

The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is dedicated to helping licensed professionals maintain their reputation and livelihood. We know how hard you worked to obtain your license, and we want to give you the best chance to achieve a positive outcome in any licensing or disciplinary matter. Yes, our team can challenge the evidence against you, but we do more than that.  

Our Professional License Defense Team will also work with your licensing board to explore the possibility of alternative disciplinary options that allow you to keep your license, such as a public reprimand. You may also be able to restore your license under Florida's Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN) program.  

Nationwide Professional License Defense  

No matter what type of professional license you hold, your ability to earn a living is tied to that license. You are also held to a high standard of conduct, both on and off the job. This is why professional licensees adhere to a code of conduct and allow their state licensing board to investigate and punish code violations. You always have the right to defend your license against allegations of misconduct.  

You don't have to face license discipline alone, and more importantly, it may not be in your best interest to do it. The nationwide Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can protect your due process rights in any license-related disciplinary matter. We will exhaust every option in defense of your license and reputation. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today.