Question G

[Jonetta]

During the investigation, Nikki and Miller learn that Kaylee’s mother Jessica was blackmailing her ex-boyfriend to get opiates for her patients in the nursing home who couldn’t afford it. Nikki and Miller decided not to do anything other than make her stop. Did they handle this right?

[Sandra]

This bothered me. I don't know if it was right or wrong. I think it helps that she didn't harm anyone and given the fact that she was now grieving the loss of her daughter, maybe they didn't see any benefit to arresting her or turning her in at this point. Stopping her from continuing would be enough. It's one of those "gray" areas for me.

[Sharon]

I agree Sandra. It is difficult to say what is wrong in a situation like this. I'm thinking that someone will keep an eye on Jessica going forward though.

[Jo Ann]

I was bothered by this as well. As officers of the law, they shouldn't have turned a blind eye to this situation. Gray area for sure.

[~Melissa~]

As I work in the healthcare industry and this disturbed me. I'm all for being a pt advocate but, this seems like a terrible road to go down. Is she telling the doctor what she is giving the pt and getting an order for it. If not, what happens if the pt has a reaction ....to a med that is not ordered for them.

[Sharon]

Melissa that is a concern. I thought the meds were recommended but the patients couldn't afford them.

[~Melissa~]

Sharon wrote: "Melissa that is a concern. I thought the meds were recommended but the patients couldn't afford them."

I'm assuming this is the case in the book. There are instances where family provide meds for a pt during their stay. It was just sort of glossed over in the book. Stuck out to me as it sounded as if she was doing this without anyone at her work knowing. Also, what if the drugs are 'laced' with something as he didn't sound credible/reliable. These were thoughts that popped into my head while reading.

[Lauren]

This was problematic on several levels, both in terms of the danger to patients and in terms of law enforcement's failure to enforce the law.

In terms of Jessica, I agree with Sharon that it's a grey area. She meant wel,l and she had just lost her daughter, but she was breaking the law.

[Jonetta]

Melissa, you make a great point about the quality of those meds. Gray area, yes. But this was dodgy.