A former Allegheny General Hospital graduate nurse illegally accessed the hospital network’s computer system to modify prescriptions for two patients, according to a federal grand jury.
Kevin N. Ukaegbu, age 30, of Pittsburgh, is accused of two counts of computer fraud following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Highmark’s internal police unit.
On Dec. 5, 2022, Ukaegbu used the hospital credentials of a resident at AGH and tried to modify prescriptions for two patients, putting one of them at serious risk, the grand jury said.
In both cases, the medications were not given to the patients.
Ukaegbu accessed the network’s EPIC computer system and modified the prescriptions for heparin and insulin for “Patient A,” a diabetes patient.
He also entered the system for “Patient B,” a surgical patient, and canceled a prescription for roxicodone, a narcotic painkiller.
The motive for the illegal modifications and Ukaegbu’s connection to the patients, if any, were not described in the indictment.
Only doctors and nurse practitioners have authority to prescribe. As a graduate nurse, Ukaegbu did not have the authority.
Ukaegbu was taken into federal custody on Wednesday, and the government has filed a motion for detention.
Torsten covers the courts for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Reach him at jtorsteno@gmail.com.
