When you're under the knife in the operating room, you put your safety in the hands of those that take care of you. But, according to state disciplinary records obtained by NBC26, Nurse Cindy Elizabeth Kocian was legally drunk at least twice in the operating room. "It's a major cause for concern," said David Carlson with the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, "you are dealing with people's lives, people's health, you need to have those professionals as sharp as you can."
According to the records, on October 22, 2007, while at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, she blew a .095 BAC, above the legal driving limit. On the final decision and order the state wrote: "She was working in the operating room while under the influence of, and impaired by, alcohol. Respondent was immediately placed on a leave of absence which continued until she resigned on November 6, 2007." State records show in July 2008, she gained employment as a nurse in the Surgery Department of Community Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. On July 31,2008, according to state records, "Co-workers reported smelling alcohol on her breath and from liquid in a sports drink bottle from which the Respondent had been drinking. A breathalyzer test was taken and showed the Respondent had a BAC of .119" The Department of Licensing and Regulation suspended her license for an indefinite period of time. "We were probably pretty concerned just on the basis of one complaint, certainly a second complaint makes it more urgent," said Carlson.
As of Monday, St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay hasn't responded to NBC26's interview request. Community Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls sent a statement that reads, " (The Hospital) has a zero tolerance policy for substance abuse and if we encounter this issue, we assist the employee to identify resources to resolve their issue immediately." Cindy Elizabeth Kocian's husband answered the door, and said the family has no comment Green Bay police say that operating under the influence is not technically "illegal" in Wisconsin. Kocian was not charged with a crime.
