A nurse in Pennsylvania helped in surgery at a veterans hospital after drinking four to five beers. Apart from public drunkenness and driving under the influence charges, the male nurse was also charged with recklessly endangering another person.
On Feb. 4, Richard Pieri conducted his pre-surgery tasks at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center in Luzerne County. He monitored the patient's vital signs and helped prepare for surgery.
After staggering into the hospital, the police affidavit said he had a hard time logging into the hospital's computer system. Moreover, he entered incorrect operation time stamps into the computer, the authorities added.
While the police affidavit didn't include what the procedure was conducted, the document revealed that the patient suffered from stomach pains and was readmitted.
The police asked the 59-year-old nurse why he believed the authorities want to talk to him.
"I guess it has something to do with me being drunk on call." he replied.
Pieri is from Drums, Pennsylvania. On Feb. 4, he arrived at the Mohegan Sun Pocono casino around 5:00 P.M. While playing slots, he consumed between four to five beers then left to lie down at home.
He was called in for surgery around 10:30 P.M. Pieri said he forgot that he was on call and only remembered it when he was paged.
Last Thursday, Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Florida requested U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs secretary Robert A. McDonald to explain why Pieri still reported for work despite the Feb. 4 incident.
"While I appreciate the department's efforts to remove this individual from patient care, I think our veterans and the American taxpayers are still left questioning why he is on the payroll," wrote Miller.
The letter requested McDonald to provide a surveillance footage, police report and updates on the Veterans Affair's investigation of the Pieri case as well as actions taken by March 3. Miller sent a second letter, this one addressed to the hospital wherein he requested the same documentations.
According to a Veterans Affairs statement dated Friday, Pieri was removed from patient care responsibilities at the hospital. Additional actions will be made if necessary upon completion of the ongoing investigation.
A preliminary hearing is set on March 29 before Magisterial District Judge Joseph D. Spagnuolo.
Photo: Quinn Dombrowski | Flickr
