In a disturbing breach of trust within the healthcare community, Tammy Michelle Coyle, a 51-year-old registered nurse, was arrested for stealing fentanyl intended for patients at Conway Medical Center in Horry County. The arrest, made by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control on January 31, unveiled a shocking violation of both legal and ethical standards in patient care. Coyle faces five counts of theft of controlled substances and violating the drug distribution law, highlighting the severity of her actions.
Over a span of several days in early November 2023, Coyle diverted quantities of fentanyl, a powerful opioid analgesic, meant for four different patients under her care. This was not an isolated incident; one of the patients was victimized twice. The theft was uncovered through meticulous review of controlled substance dispensing machines and administrative records at Conway Medical Center. Coyle’s manipulation involved providing false or fraudulent information and failing to document the quantities of fentanyl as wasted, returned, or administered to the patients, as per the arrest warrant.