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

Kyrshamarks, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2011

One question for you before you report this doc. Why?

nervousinkzoo · Dec 31, 2011

If nothing I listed would be an area of concern, I guess I don't?

It is all new to me. Is there a better way to address this?

just keep swimming · Dec 31, 2011

I think what Kyrshamarks ment is make sure you know why you are reporting this doc. Make sure it is not for personal reasons.

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Dec 31, 2011

Perhaps you should put some time into talking with this doctor and understanding their rationale for what they do. You certainly appear to have put in some effort into compiling a list of perceived grievances, but unless you are sitting across the table with the patient and doc during the consultation you can't possibly begin to understand the doctor's rationale - unless you ask them. The professional way to deal with this is to find out ALL the facts and both sides of what is going on before you put somebody's career in jeopardy based on one side of the equation.

BTW, don't think that you won't feel the effects of your actions because you have another job. You will learn that it is a very small community that we work in!

subee, MSN, CRNA · Dec 31, 2011

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.

First of all, it's commendable that you want to stop this woman. Contacting your state Bureau of Investigation might be a better start since this doc might already be on their radar. You might want to separate you from this person ASAP.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Dec 31, 2011

Question: When you say the doc sent the patient home with narcotics, do you mean the actual drugs, or scripts for them? If it's scripts, the DEA will catch up with her. They watch that stuff. If it's actual drugs, well, it's not usual for clinics to have narcs in their drug closet. It requires a special license, at least in my state, due to the "controlled" part of the definition.

Is it possible to talk to this doctor about her rationale for doing this?

lzink · Dec 31, 2011

I would contact the Board of Healing Arts in your State. You might contact the DEA to see what you can learn.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 31, 2011

I guess I would just ask the doctor their rationale for their care. Something along the lines of "I want to do a good job here and want to learn too. What's the rationale for giving medication A over medication B?"

Nothing wrong with asking questions.

I would think long and hard about reporting a physician and/or provider without clear cut evidence of wrongdoing.

nervousinkzoo · Dec 31, 2011

I think what Kyrshamarks ment is make sure you know why you are reporting this doc. Make sure it is not for personal reasons.

I already have been separated from her, I requested a transfer to peds so she is none the wiser. As far as she knows, I have no problem with her. Quite honestly, she can be very charming. She is an easily flattered person and this may play a role in her decision-making. As another human being, she is fine enough. My issue with her is more connected to her practice. She comes from money and is quite driven by money. Out client base is low income, medicaid and the like. I feel bad saying this, but I get the sense she feels that poor people are a bit beneath her. She doesn't seem concerned about how she contributes to their difficulties.

So maybe it is personal in a way, but not directly.

nervousinkzoo · Dec 31, 2011

Question: When you say the doc sent the patient home with narcotics, do you mean the actual drugs, or scripts for them? If it's scripts, the DEA will catch up with her. They watch that stuff. If it's actual drugs, well, it's not usual for clinics to have narcs in their drug closet. It requires a special license, at least in my state, due to the "controlled" part of the definition.
Is it possible to talk to this doctor about her rationale for doing this?

I fear her attitude towards nurses may not be much better than her patients. But I often here "these are very sick patients" as the excuse she gives other MD's and mid-levels when they confront her.

When I say she sends them home with narcotics, I meant scripts. eeep!

nervousinkzoo · Dec 31, 2011

I would think long and hard about reporting a physician and/or provider without clear cut evidence of wrongdoing.

That is part of why I am a bit nerved-up about reporting her. I have accumulated quite a few chart numbers with evidence of violated pain contracts, failed UDS, and correspondence from methadone clinics indicating patients were not get controlled substances from us. I just tallied them and I am at 281 5-digit numbers in a notebook. I don't know if she is a big enough fish to interest the DEA. I don't know if this "evidence" even means anything to anyone but me. All I do know is that it sucks she is in my neighborhood.

I will probably be committing career suicide at this clinic, but I am working somewhere else also. I am well regarded at both locations. I think that may change soon.