Nurse, policeman, or both

RiskManager · Sep 16, 2015

This issue is discussed a lot in the healthcare risk management world. As a group, we are about 70% keep it with the other patient belongings and return upon discharge to 30% call law enforcement for clearly illegal items.

hawaiicarl, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2015

Suppose it depends what state you work in. If we happen upon any illegal contraband (weapons, illegal drugs, etc) we are required to call security, who in turn calls the cops. In a state where marijuana is legal, I see no reason for the call.

Cheers

Overland1, RN · Sep 16, 2015

I work in an area where "weed" is more common than many other pastimes; if we find this stuff in the hospital, Security is notified and the drugs are bagged up and taken to the hospital pharmacy to be locked away. I never asked what specifically happens to the stuff after that, although I assume that, if the patient requests their return upon discharge, they would be returned in the condition in which they were received by the pharmacy.

If the stuff is not found on the person, but is rather found in a public area, then it is disposed of in a different manner.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2015

I don't even know what our policy is, but we do occasionally call the police to pick up drugs we find on patients. I've also seen alert, oriented and independent patients allowed to keep their drugs. Once, we had a rather large amount of "weed" in a locker in the nurses' station. The whole place smelled and a few of us got massive headaches. I'm glad that's not a regular thing...

I would definitely take drugs away from anyone who was "stupid drunk" enough to end up in the hospital. I'm just not sure what I'd do with them. I'd lean towards turning them over to security, though, and letting them make the call.

Searches are not optional at my place, although the patient can request to be searched by security instead of their nurse.

Dogen · Sep 16, 2015

We treat pot like a home medication. We put it in a tamper evident bag, label it, give the patient a copy of their catalogued belongings (including a line for "one bag of plant material," because lawyers), then store it in a locked drawer with all the other home meds.* At discharge we give it back.

Once someone had... Let's say pungent reefer and it was making the whole med room stink, so we sent that one to the pharmacy.

* this is the weird part. We keep unrefrigerated patient home meds on the unit, in a drawer that only one or two people per shift can open.

CountryMomma, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2015

We've had numerous patients with that particular "home medication". SOP is to confiscate, label with security, sign transfer of medication, and then send it to pharmacy via security to be destroyed. It is not legal here.

No cops involved. Imho, violates hipaa.

Had a student in my cohort once who asked in all seriousness if we call the cops when patients have drugs, as we are mandated reporters of abuse and that is drug "abuse". Facepalm.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2015

There's something that rankles about reporting a person who trusts me to take care of them.

It wasn't my patient, and the choice wasn't mine. None of us was sure what the policy was.

The supervisor was happy enough to let the nurse handle to situation.

I wouldn't have called the cops. I like the idea of simply packaging up the drug as I would a wallet, or a valuable piece of jewelry.

Then give it back on discharge.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

There's something that rankles about reporting a person who trusts me to take care of them.
It wasn't my patient, and the choice wasn't mine. None of us was sure what the policy was.
The supervisor was happy enough to let the nurse handle to situation.
I wouldn't have called the cops. I like the idea of simply packaging up the drug as I would a wallet, or a valuable piece of jewelry.
Then give it back on discharge.

I've never seen a patient held accountable for drugs turned over to the police by staff. They're simply "turned in" to be disposed of, as far as I know. Patients never seem too stressed by it. I hear things like, "Dude! The cops came and took my heroin this morning. Can I have some red jello?"

whichone'spink, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

I'm not sure I'd be okay with calling the cops. I would prefer the stuff be destroyed or flushed. Do you know what prison does to people? It ruins them, mind body and soul. I would not be okay with sending someone, unless I truly disliked them, into a meat grinder.

Farawyn · Sep 17, 2015

Was the drunk patient the driver in the MVA?

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

Was the drunk patient the driver in the MVA?

Yes, but it was a single vehicle. He just totaled his own car. I think had there been two cars involved, with injury on the other side, the decision to call the cops or not would have been more clear cut.

My beat up patient only hurt himself.