I have a question, guys, and I want brutal honesty...I don't want to quit my job. I love it. But I will leave if this mess continues.
As I have mentioned, I work in a clinic that dispenses controlled substances. As such, we do frequent and random drug screens. We operate on a three-strike policy. You fail 3 screens (except in the event of an illegal drug), you're out.
Last week, it was brought to our attention that one patient in particular had multiple failures, and notations were made in the chart that stated that this patient was reporting the unprescribed meds as being from the ER. The decision was made to screen again and to inform the patient that meds would be held until we saw what the screen showed.
When the patient arrived, we did the screen, and I phoned my OM with the results. She said to tell the patient that we would not be prescribing a certain med, but to dispense the others. The patient became irate and stated that they knew where they could obtain meds and that they would get them from there. I excused myself and explained the situation to my doc, who said the patient was not to receive any meds at all.
I arrived at clinic today, and was met with OM, who told me that the patient was in before my arrival, accompanied by a family member who apparently was a local LEO. The patient was apparently in a state and said that I completely ignored their complaints and that I accused them of being a drug addict. I was told that I should have dispensed the meds, regardless of what my doc said. Basically, I was told, "You do what I say, don't listen to Doc."
SO, end result, the patient came in a whined to the doc, got pacified and got her refills. They even went so far as to close me in a room so that the patient 'would not have to lay eyes on me".
The kicker? The WHOLE LOBBY heard this tirade that went down. Every last one of my morning patients made it a point to tell me. And every last one hugged my neck and told me they had my back.
I'm so flipping mad right now I can barely eat. I had witness to the fact that I was not dismissive to the patient, a staff member was within earshot (as always happens with discussions about med misuse/failed drug screens) and backed me up. I didn't raise my voice, I was not mean. I don't candy-coat, and I am pretty straightforward, but this patient apparently is of the opinion that I sit at the right hand of Satan himself now.
My documentation saved my butt. I documented every discussion about every failed screen and about the statement regarding getting meds elsewhere.
My OM is Doc's daughter. Lately, the push is on to keep patients for revenue, which I get. But I feel that we're excusing way more than we used to in the name of money, and I feel that people will get the impression that , if they throw a big enough fit and get law enforcement involved, that we'll cave. I don't want to be a party to that.
It fries my bacon that they catered to this person that way. I feel devalued as an employee and as a professional, especially since the whole conversation was at their instruction. And the whole closing me in a room thing just capped it. That, and the fact that I overheard OM and Doc discussing the 'need to keep patrons'. I get that part, but where is the line drawn?
So, what would y'all do? I truly don't want to quit, but I also am not sure who is running the show anymore. Thanks for reading my tirade.
