A registered nurse is accused of circulating an emergency surgery at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center while under the influence of alcohol.
Richard J. Pieri, is charged with driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, and public drunkenness.
On Feb 4th Pieri forgot he was taking call for the VA Medical Center and was drinking at a local casino when his pager went off alerting him that there was an emergency surgical case.
He allegedly staggered into the medical facility and according to a physician's assistant who worked with Pieri that night, he didn't seem like himself and became agitated when he couldn't login to the computer in the operating room. He also entered incorrect time stamps for the beginning and end of the procedure.
According to an affidavit, video surveillance of Pieri shows him falling and stumbling several times while walking into the hospital.
During an interview with police when he was asked why they would want to question him, Pieri allegedly said, “I guess it has something to do with me being drunk on call.”
Pieri has been a registered nurse since March 1979 and has no prior disciplinary action against him, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Have a comment about this article? Comment below
