Certified addict nurse able to report nurse patient?

Twoyearnurse · Dec 21, 2016

Unfortunately yes, she can disclose that because it is her duty to do so. At least this is true in my state.

Sally87 · Dec 21, 2016

I'm not sure about the legalities! I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and I'll keep you in my thoughts/prayers!

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Dec 22, 2016

I'm confused by your last statement. Do you mean if you're not required to take a test, you won't stay clean? I don't intend to sound mean, I just don't get this statement.

As far as I know, yes she can report you.

pigginsrn · Dec 22, 2016

That is terrible and I can't imagine how it is not a HIPAA violation. As a psych nurse I have cared for nurses detoxing from drugs and alcohol and know of no such requirement. What a deterrent to getting help.

1jewel, ADN · Dec 22, 2016

That's why we have Hippa, isn't it???i I wouldn't think she would be able to report this. Wouldn't that be a hippa violation???

elkpark · Dec 22, 2016

In all the states I've practiced in over the years, the BON rules have always included something about how nurses are obligated to report impaired or otherwise unsafe nurses, and, if you know someone is practicing in violation of the rules and don't report it, you can face discipline yourself if that's found out. I just checked and the PA (where I live now) BON rules say that part of the RN's responsibility is to safeguard clients from "the incompetent, abusive or illegal practice of any individual" and that an RN may not "knowingly aid, abet or assist another person to violate or circumvent a law or Board regulation."

pigginsrn · Dec 22, 2016

Addiction does not mean practicing impaired. You can be addicted and not use while practicing.

Northof49thRN · Dec 23, 2016

Stay strong! My thoughts are with you.

Sally87 · Dec 23, 2016

Hey Daisy! Just wanted to check on you and see how you are holding up???

RN2364 · Dec 26, 2016

I work in an inept detox facility and treat nurses, physicians,and dentists on a daily basis. I never report on any of them but I do recommend they self report. From what I have seen the BON etc is easier to deal with if you self report ...

ProgressiveRN · Dec 26, 2016

This actually happened to me. HIPAA can be overridden for certain groups. Last year the state that I live in, CT, passed a law mandating that all healthcare facilities and practitioners must report other practitioners, even if they are patients, who they suspect are impaired in some way. They can even be reported for mental illness. This is from my state's department of public health:

Effective October 1, 2015, any health care professional or hospital shall file a petition if that hospital or health care professional has any information that appears to show that a health care professional is, or may be, unable to practice his or her profession with reasonable skill or safety for any of the following reasons:

Physical illness or loss of motor skill, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process;
Emotional disorder or mental illness;
Abuse or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol, narcotics or chemicals;
Illegal, incompetent or negligent conduct in the practice of the profession of the health care professional;
Possession, use, prescription for use or distribution of controlled substances or legend drugs, except for therapeutic or other medically proper purposes;
Misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact in the obtaining or reinstatement of a license to practice the profession of the health care professional; or
Violation of any provision of the chapter of the general statutes under which the health care professional is licensed or any regulation established under such chapter.

Fortunately the mandate can be satisfied by reporting the individual to either the confidential monitoring program or to the department directly. I myself was coerced into self-reporting into monitoring during a psychiatric hospitalization.