The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing has suspended the license of Cindy Kocian, RN, for an indefinite period after she was twice caught working in the OR while intoxicated. Ms. Kocian "has abused alcohol to an extent that such use impairs her ability to safely or reliably practice," reports the Department of Regulation and Licensing.
On Oct. 22, 2007, OR staff at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay smelled alcohol on the breath of Ms. Kocian, who reportedly had a blood alcohol content of .095. She was placed on a leave of absence and ultimately resigned on Nov. 6, 2007.
Ms. Kocian was again caught drinking in the OR on July 31, 2008, this time at Community Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. Ms. Kocian’s co-workers smelled alcohol on her breath and from liquid in a sports bottle from which she was drinking, according to the Department of Regulation and Licensing. A breathalyzer test revealed a .119 blood alcohol content in Ms. Kocian, who was immediately terminated.
Drinking on the job is not a criminal offense, according to the Green Bay Police Department. When reached at home, Ms. Kocian refused to comment.
Unfortunately, outrageous behavior in the OR isn’t limited to nurses drinking on the job. Check out the lapses in judgment of these docs gone wild.
—Daniel Cook
