Theft: Do not try this at work or home

[cayoung]

As a law abiding citizen, I do not reccomend theft in any situation. However, I know of three medical theft situations.

1) Young man went with his g.f. to the hospital for some minor out patient care. came home with his pockets and bookbag filled with gauze, and such.

2) One poster on a forum suggested that "when you go to the dentist and they leave you in the chair to rot, look through the cabinets. You'll find all kinds of stuff there".

3) One pen pal of mine on the email says that twice he has had his first responder bag disappear, while he has been taking care of pts at an auto wreck.

My question to you who are in the trade: Is theft as major a problem as what I'm hearing from people?

[Darkangel]

Theft is rampent in just about any hospital I've ever worked in, and no there is no connection there.
People steal money, drugs, equiptment.....you name it. You wouldn't believe who does it. There is always a maintenence guy, or a house keeper..........but sometimes its a Doc stealing equiptment, everything from suture instruments to fiberoptics.
We cought a guy on camera from off the street once, he walked in, obtained a stretcher from ER, and went through the hospital collecting computer monitors, tvs, even a monitor/defibulator. Passed himself off as medical maintance, wheeled the stretcher right past security, out the door to his van in the parking lot........even took the stretcher. Never saw the stuff again. We all had a great time watching the security video. Locks keep honest people honest, but don't do anything to stop a determined crimminal. There is lots of patient theft, rings, watches, money......it vanishes into thin air, or someones pocket.
If you value it, do not take it to the hospital with you.
later
DA