The state was aware that nurse Jerold L. Mullins has been taking drugs from hospitals and other employers he had, yet he was never given any type of punishment from state regulators.

For about 15 years, Mullins has jeopardized patient safety and well-being by providing care for them even though he was high on drugs. He took these drugs at the time he was on duty as a nurse anesthetist, based on a consent order which was just made known to the public by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Mullins’ addiction had turned so menacing that while he was on duty, he gave more than the required drugs needed for the patients because this would entail there will be more for him to reroute, based on state records.

The report also showed that people told him his patients were much calmer as opposed to everybody else’s patients. It is unclear where Mullins was employed because the report did not make known any of them. 59-year-old Mullins lives in Princeton.

Mullins’ inappropriate behavior weren’t fully examined by state regulators until the year 2010, when he informed the board voluntarily regarding his past drug abuse, work problems, and ongoing efforts to get treatment in license renewal forms.

Mullins’ is on his third trip to a treatment sponsor which is backed by the state via the Health Professionals Services Program. This program flaunts itself as being another method to board discipline. Under the state regulation, health practitioners as well as their employers should report drug abuse to the program or their licensing board, based on the HPSP’s website.

Several go for HPSP for the reason that it is non-disciplinary and supportive, based on a quote from Monica Feider, who supervises the program. Feider did not give back a call for remark Tuesday.

Executive director of the Board of Nursing Shirley Brekken stated that it is indeed a concern that Mullins was not reported to the board previously. Mullins has reported to the board when he was asked. It is significant that the board get details so as to have an investigation and be able to take action.

As soon as the board learned of Mullins’ issues, it reexamined his cased as well as revoked his license. But he can always reapply for his license in five years’ time provided he can submit proof for being drug-free for a course of 24 consecutive months, based on the final consent order last October.