To report or not to report? Also where and how?

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I work for a private physician. We have no employee handbook, barely have an MSDS, he has drinks where meds are kept. What is worse is he has THOUSANDS of unsigned charts, previously had just written information down on small papers that are likely lost for patient visits, and when he does get audited will falsify records and tests in the amount of time they give him to submit the information. Our patients are given steroid injections and prednisone like M&Ms and he laughs about the town he practices in being talked about in the future like the "Tuskegee Experiment" except with side effects from prednisone.

He has tried to get me to work on his charts, but wanting to me just put templates in, etc. I told him I wasn't comfortable with that and that if he wanted to give me the information and I would put it where it needs to go I could, but he wanted me to do all of them. I told him I wasn't sure I could do that. I know that he would throw me and anyone else under the bus in a heartbeat.

He hasn't been happy with me really since then and has been looking to replace me. I know I deserve better but am unsure what could hurt me more:

Not reporting him and him pointing at me in the future when his practice falls apart, or ruining my only nursing reference when I have kids to support.

I looked into it briefly at the Medical Board but it says it sends the report to him for him to respond to. Well since he will just falsify the documents anyways, I don't see how that will change anything besides let him know that I reported him.

Anyone have experience with this and what was the outcome? People have suggested reporting him to the Board, OSHA, Medicare, etc.... I don't know where to go to make sure MY butt/license is covered and those of my coworkers and his future employees.

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Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.

Call your Dept. of Health, they can steer you in the right direction. After the reporting is done, leave and don't look back. There is more to worry about here than just your license.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

First, I would leave that job. That practice is so high risk for legal repercussions and you don't want to be associated with it when things do fall apart. Having that practice on your resume may actually end up as a "badge of dishonor" later on. I would consult with a legal expert on how to proceed if you do decide to report the physician.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

get out and report to Health Dept and Medidcal Asso. He cannot change things fast enough for a real investigation

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Medicare & insurance fraud. Medicare takes it VERY seriously. If you have personal liability/malpractice insurance call ASAP. You don't want to be barred by the OIG from working for facilities that accept Medicare/Medicaid.

Find another job it's not worth it and likely not a good referende

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Wow - what a pickle.

As a nurse, you are a 'mandatory reporter' of any and all infractions or noncompliance with the rules & regs of healthcare. In this situation, it is important to establish some distance for yourself before you are caught up in an investigation also. By not reporting, even though you are aware - you could be perceived as complicit.

There is a wonderful thing called a Qui Tam lawsuit which is part of the False Claims Act. Srsly. It was invented exactly for situations like this. https://www.doioig.gov/docs/falseclaimsact.pdf This allows you to act as a whistleblower with governmental protections since it is being done in good faith. You don't have to deal with the Medical Board (usually notorious for adopting the 'bro code' to cover up issues) I believe you can contact your state Attorney General to get the ball rollling. After you initiate action, the Feds will have 60 days to review all the information. If they decide to act, you could benefit from any money that is recovered.

At any rate - you will need another job ASAP. Even though whistle-blowers are protected, you don't want to be anywhere near this guy when everything implodes.

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I would follow HouTX's advice. Get out now. Good luck and be proud you are doing the right thing.

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