Suspect charged in 'fake nurse' case

SEATTLE -- The woman accused of impersonating a nurse to steal drugs right out of hospital patients' IV drip lines has been charged with criminal trespass and two counts of property destruction.

Police say Rachel Nezat walked into Swedish Medical Center on Broadway on April 13 and acted like she belonged there.

A patient said he saw her in his room physically manipulating his PCA (patient-administered pain medication machine).  The patient asked the suspect what she was doing.  The patient did not recognize the suspect and knew she was not his regular nurse.  The suspect turned and walked away, stating that she would get the patient’s nurse.

When the real nurse came into the room, she noticed that the line from his PCA to his body had been cut and that the pain medication was dripping on the floor.  Pry marks on the PCA were also discovered where the suspect apparently tried to pry open the machine to gain access to the pain medication inside.

Shortly afterward, there was another report of the same suspect on another floor looking into patient’s rooms.  A hospital staff member asked the suspect what she was doing to which she responded that she was there to check the PCA machines.  The staff member thought nothing of this since earlier two other PCAs had been taken out of service.

At that point, the suspect went into another room where there was family present with a patient.  The suspect acted as if she was checking the PCA when the alarm went off.  As the suspect left the room, a family member noticed that there was blood dripping on the floor and saw the lines to the patient’s PCA had been cut.

Detectives said they were able to identify Nezat from the hospital surveillance video.   All three counts she faces are gross misdemeanors and carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.