For immediate release: September 16, 2009  (09-147)

 OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission have immediately suspended the license of Anacortes registered nurse Teresa Coffey (RN00068223) on allegations of improper drug use. Coffey cannot work as a registered nurse until the charges are resolved.

Coffeys physician assistant license was suspended recently by the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. Coffey also held an unrestricted registered nurse license, which would have allowed her to work as an RN.  The nursing commission conducted a priority investigation based on the charges against her physician assistant license, and immediately filed charges against her RN license.

Coffey may answer the charges and ask for a hearing.

Legal documents in this case are available by calling 360-236-4700 or online by clicking the link to "Provider Credential Search" on the agency home page (www.doh.wa.gov).

The nursing commission protects public health and safety in Washington. The commission licenses and disciplines nurses using standards of practice.

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