Police release images of nurse impersonator stealing pain meds from patients

SEATTLE — Seattle police released images of a woman who is accused of posing as a nurse and stealing pain medication from patients.

According to police, officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances and theft of narcotics at Swedish Hospital in the 700 block of Broadway Avenue on April 17.

Four days prior, police were contacted about a woman who was in a patient’s room without authorization. Police said the patient saw the woman in his room physically manipulating his patient-administered pain medication machine (PCA).

The woman told the patient she would get his nurse, and when the nurse came, she noticed the line from the PCA to his body was cut.

Afterwards, another report of the same woman on another floor was looking into patient’s rooms.

According to police, the woman went into another room with a family present with a patient. After she left, a family member noticed there was blood dripping on the floor and saw the lines to the patient’s PCA had been cut.

Police described the woman as white, in her mid 30s to 40s, with shoulder-length blonde hair pulled back or in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a blue blouse, black business slacks and shiny black shoes that resembled hospital staff attire.

According to police, the woman used medical terminology and was confident with her answers to questions from other staff, along with appearing comfortable walking into patients’ rooms.

The woman remains at large.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the incident.

KIRO