Registered nurse placed on probation

OLYMPIA — A Moses Lake registered nurse must join a monitoring program and will have her license placed on probation for at least six months after she completes it. Amanda Rishky was charged by the Washington Department of Health with taking controlled substances from the hospital where she worked.

Rishky was employed at the Coulee Medical Center, Grand Coulee, at the time of the incidents, which occurred in February and March 2016. “On or about Feb. 22, 2016, March 7 and March 21, 2016, Respondent (Rishky) diverted gabapentin, a legend drug, from a Pyxis machine, an automated drug dispensing device, at the hospital. Approximately 138 gabapentin capsules are unaccounted for during this time period,” according to the report from the Washington Department of Health.

Gabapentin is a treatment for nerve pain and some types of seizures. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission charged Rishky with “unprofessional conduct,” but determined that she hadn’t harmed any patients and had the potential to be rehabilitated. There was no past disciplinary history, the report said.

Rishky is required to be in a monitoring program, at her own expense, until the WDOH determines it’s “no longer necessary,” the report said. She was fined $500.

Under the terms of the disciplinary order, Rishky will be allowed to continue working in her current job in Moses Lake, but “shall not be employed by a nurses’ registry, home health, temporary agency or in a community-based care setting. Community-based care settings do not include acute care or skilled nursing facilities,” it said.

“Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this order may result in suspension of the credential.”

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.