Hospital Security Enhanced After Impersonator Injects Patient

A hospital trust has stated that it has strengthened its security protocols subsequent to an incident where a woman, described as “living out her dream of being a doctor,” administered an unknown substance to a patient under police supervision. Kreuena Zdrafkova, 20, dressed in a white coat, stethoscope, medical gloves, and a yellow badge, injected the unidentified liquid at Ealing Hospital on April 19. Isleworth Crown Court was informed that the male patient she injected was hospitalized because he had admitted to either using or experiencing withdrawal from drugs, necessitating medical care. Zdrafkova, lacking any medical qualifications, entered a guilty plea to common assault in June, facilitated by a Turkish interpreter. The London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust reported taking “immediate action.” The defendant, who relocated to the UK from Bulgaria and is a mother to six-year-old twin boys, received a one-year community order as her sentence. This order prohibits her from accessing any NHS facility without a scheduled appointment. Judge Fiona Barrie commented, “It seems that you harboured some dream of becoming a doctor but frankly that cannot amount to mitigation.” The court was told that at approximately 14:30 BST, Zdrafkova entered the patient’s room carrying a few tubes, which she claimed were for collecting blood samples, and then administered what she described as a small liquid medication intended to soothe the patient. Zdrafkova, residing in Ealing, west London, also captured images of the man’s neck and hand. Previously, a staff member had observed her in the blood room inspecting butterfly needles. Furthermore, CCTV surveillance footage depicted her entering an ambulance and engaging in conversation with a paramedic. During a subsequent visit to the hospital three days later, Zdrafkova was apprehended by police, found with hospital documents, following an alert from hospital personnel. Harry Stallard, representing the defense, stated that she had behaved “in quite a compassionate and caring way.” He added, “At one point she’s got a tissue, as well, and seems to wipe something from his face so certainly there’s no evidence of mal-intent or malice towards [him]. “It really is almost living out her dream of being a doctor.” He further remarked that it was “maybe of some concern” that Ms Zdrafkova could access a patient with such ease without presenting any identification. A spokesperson for the London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust declared: “We fully supported the police investigation into this highly unusual incident, taking immediate action to support the apprehension of the individual and enhance our security measures.” For more content, listeners can access the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds, and follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.