My CRNA friends do illegal drugs

Specialties CRNA

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Two of my friends who are CRNA's take recreational ecstasy almost every weekend. They will take it on Saturday night...stay up all night....and then try to sleep it off on Sunday. When Monday morning comes around they go to their contract per diem positions and perform anesthesia mostly in private practice plastic surgery clinics.

I am worried that one day they may provide anestheisa while the ecstasy is still running through their systems.

A couple of questions for those of you who are currently CRNAs.

1. How do you approach a CRNA and tell them you are worried they might harm a patient while under the influence.

2. What else would you do to make sure they don't harm anybody? Should I contact the state board or should I mind my own business? For the record I am just a nursing student.

They have both been practicing for 8 years and have never had any problems in the past. I just know I wouldn't want to be patient under their care.

1.The right to privacy has nothing to do with illegal drug use.

2. X is more dangerous than alcohol. I can have a beer and be 99.9% full functioning. I bet after 1 X tab I'm not so hot.

3.When was the last time I heard about an X related death? About 2 weeks ago, 3 teens died.

4.ETOH can be just as dangerous due to driving? Cell phone use and inattentive drivers are pretty darn dangerous too. So are 16 and 86 year old drivers. Any other intelligent comparisons?

5.Working with a hangover is dangerous. Working with any distraction, flu, hangover, bad gas pains:wink2: is dangerous. What's your point? CRNA's should not be coming in hungover either.

6.Ecstacy addiction, you don't think so. How long have you been researching this? Was this part of your PhD thesis? Not that it matters. But you have 2 choices; Do you select the CRNA who had a bowl of corn flakes for breakfeast and spent the weekend playing with the kids..... or the CRNA who just got a good 20 minutes of sleep between X hits this weekend? Hurry the mask is coming down on your face!

Since you think that privacy governs this area, we'll let you honor the impaired CRNA's rights by risking your life. Best of luck, you'll need it.

Good points made here

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Specializes in LTC, MDS/careplans, Unit Manager.

i know first hand of a nurse that is on probation (with the bon) for an owi. she has to call the bon every day and find out whether she has been chosen for a urinalysis and she has to check in with someone else at the bon monthly to let them know her status. this was because she did something illegal (drinking and driving). i am thinking if the bon thinks this strongly on operating while intoxicated they just might frown on illegal drug use!

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Specializes in Nothing but ER.

I work in a fairly busy ed and have seen the effects of estacy a young teenage girl who was given it without knowing what it was. It's a date-rape drug guys. What does that say about its effects on impaiment? The girl I helped take care of was absolutly out of it and out of control had absolutely know clue what was going on. Hmm.. I wouldn't have wanted to be anestisized by her even if she waited three days. She was truly having an out of body experience. I can hardly believe there is any question about how to handle a situation like this.

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I work in a fairly busy ed and have seen the effects of estacy a young teenage girl who was given it without knowing what it was. It's a date-rape drug guys. What does that say about its effects on impaiment? The girl I helped take care of was absolutly out of it and out of control had absolutely know clue what was going on. Hmm.. I wouldn't have wanted to be anestisized by her even if she waited three days. She was truly having an out of body experience. I can hardly believe there is any question about how to handle a situation like this.

Are you sure your not talking about GHB aka liquid ecstacy? That's what is know as a date rape drug. It has no taste or color, and renders the user very much out of control.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Bottom Line...It's illegal. There is no literature within the Nurse Practice Act, within any facility policy, or within the law of the US that allows healthcare professionals to use illegal drugs, recreationally or otherwise. In fact, the opposite is true....you pop a positive drug test and your out...and they don't ask, "Well, were you using it in the OR or on your time off?" Why? Because it doesn't make a difference. And I will let you all know now, if you were working with me you would have two choices...seek help or face your supervisor. You risked your license by using...I'm not taking anything away from you or "ruining" your life if you freely assume the risk knowing the consequences of being reported. Happy drug free night to all!

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Bottom Line...It's illegal. There is no literature within the Nurse Practice Act, within any facility policy, or within the law of the US that allows healthcare professionals to use illegal drugs, recreationally or otherwise. In fact, the opposite is true....you pop a positive drug test and your out...and they don't ask, "Well, were you using it in the OR or on your time off?" Why? Because it doesn't make a difference. And I will let you all know now, if you were working with me you would have two choices...seek help or face your supervisor. You risked your license by using...I'm not taking anything away from you or "ruining" your life if you freely assume the risk knowing the consequences of being reported. Happy drug free night to all!

It's comforting to know that there are some out there who feel strongly about not using drugs. It's such a ginormous problem(yes, that is a word,btw, whether it's spelled right is another story,lol).

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Specializes in Neuro ICU.

I don't agree with the CRNA's using illegal drugs (or any professional/unprofessinal for that matter). I believe they should be proud representation of their profession. I am sure during their party grogs and travels, talk is made about their profession and what they do. This can shed ill light on the profession as a whole if others see these individuals under the influence of their drug.

I helped pick up a 19 yo girl off the pavement in front of the hospital last week because she had a seizure when her mom took her out for a cigarette. She seizes and blacks out for 15-20 minutes. She has been hospitalized for two months now trying to control the seizures. The cause...ectasy, said to be her first time using. What a nightmare for mom. She was in tears.

Another note, I see what the drug has done to my brother and I would never entrust my life into the hands of someone doing ectasy or other illegals.

What a shame, when they hold such a respected and important position in society.

Copy all of this thread and send to these subjects. They really need to find the strength to have pride in their profession and learn to Just Say No!

Understand, I respect that one has the right to choose what they do or ingest into his or her body. They do not have the right to risk injury /harm to another due to this choice and they should rescend their respected, albeit earned, profession if the drugs is the lifestyle they choose.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/Anesthesia.

Neither one of these CRNAs belong in an OR. They belong in rehab. I don't care if it is alcohol or whatever. The fact that it is an ongoing pattern of abuse is concerning. Extacy is illegal. The anti-social personality disorder that both of these people likely have is especially unatractive in the caring professions. Taking care of people is a priviledge not a right. In the armed forces they would be booted (unless they turned themselves in for rehab) and given other than honorable discharges. Why? Because peoples lives are at stake and drug addicts should not be taking care of sick people.

Frank

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If it truly concerns you that much and you must "do something", I suggest simply writing an anonymous letter to the supervisor suggesting random drug testing of anesthesia providers in that facility (obviously that is not being done, which i can never understand, even domino's pizza delivery guy and wal-mart employees get drug tested...unbelievable!)

Other than that, id mind my own.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

hey drugrep,

i didn't read thru all the replies, and i don't know if it has already been said, but in my opinion, if they are friends, tell them.. that's why friends are friends, one should be able to be upfront and blunt, and get pissed off, and still hang out the next day.

now, with that, are they good friends? acquaintances? even less?

it does make a difference to the level of friendship.

but the principles are rather across the board.

i too agree that to each their own on the time off..

if it impedes their workmanship, i hope their boss/coworkers are observant !

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.
Occasional recreational drug use does not equal addiction, nor does it necessarily lead to addiction. Additionally, the occasional use of ecstacy (or any other recreational drug use, including alcohol) does not necessiate the need for any type of "rehabilitation."

Get a grip people.

Would you get on an airplane knowing that the pilot did ecstasy less than 48 hours ago?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.
Would you get on an airplane knowing that the pilot did ecstasy less than 48 hours ago?

u wouldn't know. can't make the assumption.. you might have been on a plane in such manner... you just never know.

you could have met som great theorist thet u loved, but never knew they did "drus"---

i am in no way condoning... but still, others will do what they do, and you do as your heart desires...

i agree, i don't want anyone taking care of me under the influence...

just remember, i'm sure it happens more than is realized.. !!!!

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