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June • 29 • 2023
Fraudulent Nursing Diplomas: Protect Your Organization
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Summary
In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice filed criminal charges against several individuals in connection with a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme. Consider these risk recommendations when crafting your organizational response to this scheme.
In January 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice filed criminal charges against several individuals in connection with a fraudulent nursing diploma scheme nicknamed “Operation Nightingale.” The indictments, which were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleged that the defendants operated nursing schools that sold bogus diplomas and transcripts. These documents enabled purchasers to sit for nursing board exams and obtain licenses to practice as registered and licensed practical nurses. From 2016 to 2023, the schools distributed more than 7,600 fraudulent nursing diplomas. While some attendees completed the programs and training necessary to receive a diploma, the vast majority did not.
Schools involved in the alleged scheme included:
Although hospitals and clinics are facing unprecedented staffing shortages, unqualified nurses pose a threat to patient safety and can expose an organization to liability. Consider the following when crafting your organizational response to “Operation Nightingale”:
Schools involved in the alleged scheme included:
- Siena College of Health II LLC.
- Med-Life Institute WPB LLC.
- Palm Beach School of Nursing LLC.
- Quisqueya School of Nursing LLC d/b/a Sunshine Academy.
- Quisqueya Health Care Academy LLC.
- Sacred Heart International Institute Inc.
- Florida College of Health LLC.
Risk Recommendations
Although hospitals and clinics are facing unprecedented staffing shortages, unqualified nurses pose a threat to patient safety and can expose an organization to liability. Consider the following when crafting your organizational response to “Operation Nightingale”:
- Keep current. State nursing boards are currently investigating and acting against individuals who received fraudulent credentials. In some cases, boards are denying, revoking, or suspending licenses pending investigation. Frequently check the nursing board website(s) in your area for the status of investigations and findings.
- Review employment files. Work with your human resources department and compliance personnel to review employment files for nurses hired during the relevant periods, and determine whether they graduated from any of the above-listed schools. If so, ensure that those individuals are still licensed to practice nursing in your state. Consult an attorney and/or your human resources representative to determine next steps.
- Review patient care. Develop a process for auditing records of patients who received care from graduates of the above-listed schools. Determine if substandard care harmed any patients. Work with your risk management professional to track, investigate, and respond to quality-of-care concerns according to organizational policies.
Copyrighted. No legal or medical advice intended. This post includes general risk management guidelines. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal or medical developments. These informational materials are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal or medical advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances.