Should A Nurse Report A Colleague Struggle With Substance Abuse?
Nurses usually work day or night shifts that range from 8-12 hours. In addition, they experience the death of patients and listen to sorrowful stories of victims of physical abuse. Such continuous encounters with this form of stress can push a healthcare provider into toxic dependence on alcohol and illegal drugs. Coworkers who work with each other have strong friendships however certain red flags require immediate intervention. Should a nurse report a colleague struggling with substance abuse?
Are Nurses Obligated To Report Coworkers With Substance Abuse Problems?
Nurses operating in Florida are obligated to notify supervisors when they have reason to believe that a colleague is frequently chemically impaired. Some states also have the same policy however few nurses comply with it because of the weight of interpersonal relationships with fellow caregivers.
Should A Nurse Report A Colleague Struggle With Substance Abuse?
Nurses usually work day or night shifts that range from 8-12 hours. In addition, they experience the death of patients and listen to sorrowful stories of victims of physical abuse. Such continuous encounters with this form of stress can push a healthcare provider into toxic dependence on alcohol and illegal drugs. Coworkers who work with each other have strong friendships however certain red flags require immediate intervention. Should a nurse report a colleague struggling with substance abuse?
Are Nurses Obligated To Report Coworkers With Substance Abuse Problems?
Nurses operating in Florida are obligated to notify supervisors when they have reason to believe that a colleague is frequently chemically impaired. Some states also have the same policy however few nurses comply with it because of the weight of interpersonal relationships with fellow caregivers.
What To Do If You Suspect A Nurse Is Stealing Drugs?
Drug diversion is a serious accusation that can lead to the license revocation of a healthcare provider. That’s why it’s crucial to confirm that the nurse is engaged in this violation before confronting them about it. Here are common tell-tale signs of a nurse that’s stealing medication from the pharmacy.
1. Frequent Bathroom Breaks
A nurse that’s hooked on antidepressants will start visiting the bathroom more than usual. That’s because they need privacy to swallow Valium or Xanax tablets that got stolen from the hospital’s pharmacy. You’ll also notice that the coworker gets defensive whenever someone follows them to the bathroom.
2. Patients Complaining About The Inefficiency Of Pain Medication
Oxycodone, for instance, produces an intense euphoria that can lead to addiction. An RN that’s abusing pain medication can decide to lower the dose of drugs prescribed to patients so that he or she can pocket the extra tablets. It might take a while for supervisors to notice this trend because the nurse doesn’t raise suspicion by making unauthorized trips to the hospital’s pharmacy.
3. Suspicious Presence Of Syringes and Empty Prescription Containers
Nurses that are abusing morphine have an urgent demand for needles and syringes. You may notice used syringes inside their cars and receive a weird explanation upon asking. Another red flag is empty morphine vials lying around the vehicle. If you’re close friends with the suspect, you might also notice these red flags inside their home.
What Are The Consequences Of Drug Diversion?
1. Illegal Possession Of Benzodiazepines and Certain Painkillers Could Lead To Incarceration
A nurse that abuses benzodiazepines or painkillers like oxycodone daily builds up a high tolerance with time. This rising urge pushes him or her to steal more drugs from the hospital’s pharmacy. However, it’s quite risky to have an encounter with the police when possessing quantities that greatly exceed normal prescriptions. Suspects found guilty of illegal possession of opiates can face a five-year jail term in addition to license revocation.
2. Nurse Could Find Themselves On The Receiving End Of A Medical Negligence Lawsuit
A patient who witnessed the nurse assigned to them rationing medication without hearing an explanation from the doctor can file for a medical negligence lawsuit. The state board of nursing will order a drug test and withdraw their legal defense if the accused healthcare provider tests positive for illegal substances.
3. The Medical Facility Loses Money When Replacing Missing Drugs
Nurses who divert benzodiazepines or painkillers from the pharmacy affect the direct expenses involved in running hospitals or medical facilities such as senior citizens’ nursing homes. The management has to allocate more money to replace the missing drugs yet they can’t see an increase in the number of patients.
4. Loss Of Access To The Drugs Can Be Fatal
If a coworker happens to alert the nurse leader about a colleague’s substance abuse, the accused healthcare provider might get sent home on compulsory leave to facilitate investigations. This disciplinary action cuts off the suspect’s access to the drugs he or she used to steal from the medical facility.
If the nurse has developed a high tolerance, the intense cravings for opioids might push them into experimenting with potent narcotics such as cocaine or heroin.
It’s Okay To Help A Coworker Struggling With Drug Addiction To Get Help
A chemically impaired nurse poses a great hazard to the public because he or she can accidentally overdose a patient and cause untimely death.
What To Do If You Suspect A Nurse Is Stealing Drugs?
Drug diversion is a serious accusation that can lead to the license revocation of a healthcare provider. That’s why it’s crucial to confirm that the nurse is engaged in this violation before confronting them about it. Here are common tell-tale signs of a nurse that’s stealing medication from the pharmacy.
1. Frequent Bathroom Breaks
A nurse that’s hooked on antidepressants will start visiting the bathroom more than usual. That’s because they need privacy to swallow Valium or Xanax tablets that got stolen from the hospital’s pharmacy. You’ll also notice that the coworker gets defensive whenever someone follows them to the bathroom.
2. Patients Complaining About The Inefficiency Of Pain Medication
Oxycodone, for instance, produces an intense euphoria that can lead to addiction. An RN that’s abusing pain medication can decide to lower the dose of drugs prescribed to patients so that he or she can pocket the extra tablets. It might take a while for supervisors to notice this trend because the nurse doesn’t raise suspicion by making unauthorized trips to the hospital’s pharmacy.
3. Suspicious Presence Of Syringes and Empty Prescription Containers
Nurses that are abusing morphine have an urgent demand for needles and syringes. You may notice used syringes inside their cars and receive a weird explanation upon asking. Another red flag is empty morphine vials lying around the vehicle. If you’re close friends with the suspect, you might also notice these red flags inside their home.
What Are The Consequences Of Drug Diversion?
1. Illegal Possession Of Benzodiazepines and Certain Painkillers Could Lead To Incarceration
A nurse that abuses benzodiazepines or painkillers like oxycodone daily builds up a high tolerance with time. This rising urge pushes him or her to steal more drugs from the hospital’s pharmacy. However, it’s quite risky to have an encounter with the police when possessing quantities that greatly exceed normal prescriptions. Suspects found guilty of illegal possession of opiates can face a five-year jail term in addition to license revocation.
2. Nurse Could Find Themselves On The Receiving End Of A Medical Negligence Lawsuit
A patient who witnessed the nurse assigned to them rationing medication without hearing an explanation from the doctor can file for a medical negligence lawsuit. The state board of nursing will order a drug test and withdraw their legal defense if the accused healthcare provider tests positive for illegal substances.
3. The Medical Facility Loses Money When Replacing Missing Drugs
Nurses who divert benzodiazepines or painkillers from the pharmacy affect the direct expenses involved in running hospitals or medical facilities such as senior citizens’ nursing homes. The management has to allocate more money to replace the missing drugs yet they can’t see an increase in the number of patients.
4. Loss Of Access To The Drugs Can Be Fatal
If a coworker happens to alert the nurse leader about a colleague’s substance abuse, the accused healthcare provider might get sent home on compulsory leave to facilitate investigations. This disciplinary action cuts off the suspect’s access to the drugs he or she used to steal from the medical facility.
If the nurse has developed a high tolerance, the intense cravings for opioids might push them into experimenting with potent narcotics such as cocaine or heroin.
It’s Okay To Help A Coworker Struggling With Drug Addiction To Get Help
A chemically impaired nurse poses a great hazard to the public because he or she can accidentally overdose a patient and cause untimely death.