Pennsylvania Peer Assistance Legislation Introduced

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

psna supports passage of proposed legislation

http://www.psna.org/hotissues/nhp.htm

chemical dependency is one of our nations major preventable and treatable health problems. of the 255, 000 nurses licensed to practice in pa, 25,5000 or at least 10% can be expected to be at risk for impaired practice due to chemical dependence. early identification is critical for effective intervention and treatment of these individuals. in pennsylvania under the department of state, bureau of professional and occupational affairs there currently exists impaired professional health monitoring programs. the professional health monitoring programs (phmp) provide a method by which professionals suffering from physical or mental impairments, such as chemical dependency, can receive the appropriate treatment and monitoring to ensure that they remain competent to practice safely. the voluntary recovery program offers confidential, voluntary treatment and monitoring of licensed professionals suffering from mental or physical impairments.

the goal of the phmp is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the commonwealth. unfortunately only 16% of nurses enrolled in the vrp have successfully completed the program. regulatory programs like the vrp are not designed to provide early case finding and more intensive monitoring because they are viewed as punitive in nature.

representative mary ann dailey recently sponsored and introduced house bill 1722, which would establish the nurses health program. this program would utilize a peer assistance model of education, information and confidential management of referrals and would be an adjunct to the vrp. research has shown that a two-tier approach to professional health intervention programs is the most effective. the nhp would provide:

earlier identification and intervention in a confidential non-punitive setting.

opportunities for nurses to help nurses.

more intensive and longer term monitoring.

outreach and education.

we need your support by writing to your legislators and encouraging them to co-sponsor the bill to establish a nurses health program for the below reasons:

in this time of nursing shortages, we want to strive to get these nurses into earlier intervention and treatments and get them back to the workplace as soon as feasible.

a similar program for physicians has shown better success rates of program completion.

earlier identification is the key

house bill 1722 was referred to the house professional licensure committee on june 26, 2003.