Suspected drug use in physician

nursephillyphil, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2015

erratic as in.....?

elkpark · Dec 3, 2015

The first step I would take would be bringing my concerns to the attention of my immediate supervisor, and ask her/his advise about how to proceed. There is no way I would single-handedly, independently accuse a physician of anything in a healthcare setting. That is nearly always going to turn out badly for the nurse.

RiskManager · Dec 4, 2015

Assuming that this is referring to a physician on the hospital staff, my reporting hierarchy would be immediate supervisor, the director of nursing services, and the chief of medical staff in that order.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 4, 2015

Use the chain of command.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Dec 4, 2015

AND just a reminder--erratic behavior does not a drug abuser make.

This could be a medical condition. This could be a personality. This could be any number of things. Which I am not saying is right, wrong or indifferent, but may not be drug induced.

Coupled with most facilities go to great lengths to protect their money makers. Which unfortunately doesn't include nursing.

IF the MD is being unsafe, involving your practice in foolishness and dangerous stuff, if he/she is impossible to get in contact with--and with patient safety at risk, and/or when in contact tears the nurse a new one, or generally nasty and condescending, that would perhaps be the catalyst for discussion with your chain of command.

Otherwise, the hill on which you lay down on could have worse consequences for you.

If you are going to report, it is much wiser to do so on proven effects on safety as opposed to behavior in itself.

iluvivt, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2015

Perhaps he has a medical condition which he has a valid prescrition for.Sometimes it takes a few trys to find medication that works for you or one in which the adverse effects are tolerable.

SubSippi · Dec 4, 2015

AND just a reminder--erratic behavior does not a drug abuser make.
This could be a medical condition. This could be a personality. This could be any number of things. Which I am not saying is right, wrong or indifferent, but may not be drug induced.
Coupled with most facilities go to great lengths to protect their money makers. Which unfortunately doesn't include nursing.
IF the MD is being unsafe, involving your practice in foolishness and dangerous stuff, if he/she is impossible to get in contact with--and with patient safety at risk, and/or when in contact tears the nurse a new one, or generally nasty and condescending, that would perhaps be the catalyst for discussion with your chain of command.
Otherwise, the hill on which you lay down on could have worse consequences for you.
If you are going to report, it is much wiser to do so on proven effects on safety as opposed to behavior in itself.

I agree with this post completely. OP, if you are concerned, go to your supervisor with specific examples of this erratic behavior.

And, in my opinion, it would not be wise to suggest that the MD has been using drugs. Report the behavior only. Accusing someone of being high in the work place is very serious, and no matter what anyone at your facility has led you to believe, word could get out that you've reported the physician. It is much easier to defend someone who has reported unsafe behaviors than it is to defend someone who has reported speculated drug use.

Karou · Dec 4, 2015

We are encouraged to report any erratic or unusual behavior that causes concern to our supervisors and house supervisor. We don't report suspected impairment, just the objective behaviors witnessed.