How do I report a Doctor to the DEA? Anyone ever do this?

[nervousinkzoo]

It is long overdue.

This particular doctor has done the following while I have worked with her or near her at this clinic:

After I inform her a particular patient I have worked up is suspected to be under the influence, she sends them home with narcotics. This has happened dozens of times in the last few months.

After I hand her evidence of failed urine drug screenings,including positives for cocaine, pcp, meth, and marijuana, she sends patients home with narcotics.

After I hand her evidence of multiple doctors writing for the same drug for the same patient, she sends them home with narcotics. She even gave narcotics to the patient that was obtaining meds under two names and was caught by the local ER.

To top this off, she fails to adequately treat some of the underlying chronic issues some of these patients have.

Patients are often on doses and combinations of painkillers that exceed safe limits.

For the life of me, I cannot find anything defensible about this doctors behavior. I know the patients seeking these drugs have issues of their own. But on my lunch today I saw one of her morning patients crushing and snorting pills just a few cars down from where I was eating my sandwich. That plus the months of overhearing patients comparing notes on what they scored and even talking about who they are selling their "script" to has put me over the edge.

Can I get anywhere with this? I have another job so I am not worried about retaliation.

[Piglet08]

I don't see any of the answers here as buying into a culture of doctor over nurse, one of the concerns I saw raised her (I'm paraphrasing, but that was the gist as I recall it). I do fear, however, the original writer is in danger of getting in big trouble with this.

First, HIPPA. Wow, are you in violation. Don't just "get rid of" that notebook. Burn it. Watch it burn down to ashes, and break those ashes up.

Second, the laser focus on this doctor - to the level of accumulating a notebook full of information - is scary. It can very easily be made to look like you have a vendetta against the doc, because that kind of thing is not "normal". Don't get me wrong, there are people who do similar things and sacrifice themselves heroically for a Larger Cause, and they make movies about 'em. But for every Norma Rae, there are uncounted other nameless people who did "the right thing" and were trod into the dust for it. That's the world we live in. I don't defend that fact, I merely state it. If it comes down to a power struggle between you and the Doc - well, it won't be a power struggle. You'll be out and you'll "never work in this town again".

You know, if anyone you work with has seen that you're writing things in a notebook, you're going to be in deep trouble. You've placed yourself in a dangerous position. If you anonymously report the doc, it's quite possible someone will put together it must have been you. You, who kept the notebook that people might have seen you writing in.

And keep in mind, you could be wrong. The doctor may be completely within the range of what a reasonable physician would do in the same circumstances. She might not be up to the HIGHest standard, or up to YOUR standards, but those are not the criteria she's held to.

From the POV of advising a friend, I'd say to let go of it. From the POV of a nurse with concerns, I'd be sure to keep myself safe as I raised these concerns. And I think you are now unfortunately in way too unsafe a position to raise these concerns. Let it go, unless you're willing to trash your career. You might have been able to take action if you did something before you went so far down this path, but you've gone too far astray to fix it now.

[badmamajama]

Piglet is right, I should have been more specific, burn the notebook, break them up, drive to the beach and throw them in. Just one chart number will get you in hot water. A notebook will bring trouble beyond what I can imagine. She ask makes a great point that if by chance you have been observed writing things in a notebook and keeping tabs on the doc, he'll just complaining about her too often will leave you as prime suspect if there is ever an anonymous complaint. Once branded a troublemaker or disloyal that will follow you.

[badmamajama]

I'm too tired too spell, my apologies!

[enchantmentdis, BSN, RN]

Be prepared to lose your job if you report that doctor. They have ways of finding out who reported them and you could be axed.

[Piglet08]

I'm concerned that what's at risk here is your license. Or more.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

read the transcript for the trial of two Texas nurses who reported an MD. It can be found on the TNA website: www.texasnurses.com. In Texas the nurses have a legal responsibility to report ANYONE who might be providing illegal or substandard care. But you better be sure you know what you are talking about.

[fltnrse2, ASN, RN]

Remember Anna Nichole, Michael, Elvis and on and on. For every preciption addict lies a member of the healthcare team willing to write the scrips. When I watch the addicts being arrested by the droves in places like Florida for selling the scrips they just walked out of the office with, I think to my self, if you take out the one component that makes this whole scenerio take place day after day it wouldn't stop the practice but it sure would curtail it. As a society we have elevated white coats to a level of God's and many of them actually do deserve our respect, but why I wonder is society willing to watch this happen and do nothing? Therefore, there is always the Board of Healing Arts in your state, but be careful, ask them how you go about making a complaint, some have websites that you can print off the form. It's the very reason this kind of thing continues, because we are "scared". I agree with my college that said it is a duty as a licensed health care provider to report. If perchance something happens you no doubt will be asked "why didn't you report this?"

It's the old rock and the hard place, but I trust that you will do the right thing. I support you 100%. FLTNRSE