Face masks and hand sanitizer stolen from Indiana hospital

Theft shows they’re now as sought-after as drugs


Seven boxes of medical-grade isolation masks, 20 bottles of hand sanitizer, 10 containers of soap, eight bottles of air deodorizer, six packages of bleach wipes, and 50 tubs of Sani-wipes were recently stolen from an Indiana hospital - along with some morphine, according to an article on the Quartz website.

“These items are highly sought after in the secondary market due to shortages resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic and that these types of items are being sold on the secondary market at an increased price well over fair market value,” DEA task force officer Jason Homan said in a criminal complaint filed in Indiana federal court.

The theft of personal protective equipment  is a  recent phenomenon. 

Police arrested a housekeeping employee at an Arizona hospital earlier this month for allegedly swiping gloves, hand sanitizer, surgical scrubs, paper towels, face masks, bleach, and toilet paper. In Florida, police busted a physician’s assistant after hospital workers spotted him loading large amounts of PPE into his Jaguar XF. 

Read the article.

 



May 12, 2020


Topic Area: Security


Recent Posts

Small Details, Real Impact: Design With Caregivers in Mind

Healthcare facility designers do not practice medicine, but their work is still a meaningful way to help those who provide patient care.


Safety Features Senior Living Communities Prioritize

Families want their loved one to be in a safe facility, leading designers to prioritize more safety features.


Cherry Health Reports Data Breach Incident

It presently has no evidence that any such information has been used to commit identity theft or fraud.


Avoiding Mistakes in Healthcare Site Selection

Actionable strategies for healthcare systems and medical groups navigating today’s constrained real estate market.


Can Rural Hospitals Be Saved?

More than 700 rural hospitals nationwide face the risk of closure. A new report highlights solutions that could improve long-term sustainability.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.