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Former hospital employees stole and sold medical equipment

Hospital Safety Connection, November 4, 2004

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Virginia police arrested two former hospital employees last week and charged them with stealing medical supplies from Winchester Medical Center and selling them on an Internet auction site, the Winchester Star reported.

Michelle Spiker, 34, and her mother Mary Robertson, 55, face charges of embezzlement and additional pending charges.

Police began an investigation of Spiker and Robertson in July. Last week, police seized several pieces of medical equipment, including thermometers and blood strips, from the women's homes. The equipment's serial numbers matched Winchester Medical Center, police told the Star.

The women allegedly sold the equipment, including an electronic pulse monitor for $400, on the Internet auction site eBay.

Employee theft incidents have dropped at Winchester Medical Center, according to Vice President Lawrence K. Van Hoose. "While that incident was unfortunate to hear, it was just an isolated incident," Van Hoose said. "We try to provide the best possible security for the entire hospital and its patients."

Security staff work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and use up-to-date security measures, said Art Yow, director of safety and security for the center.

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