UPDATE to Transportation of Mediction- Narcotics

[kaitte]

UPDATE!!! My case made it all the way to trial. My patient was angry that I had been through the humiliation of being arrested and that his medication was confiscated, also he was even more so at the fact that the police NEVER contacted him to either interview him or even notify him that his medication had been taken into evidence. He made a good point when he asked "why, if the police believed that I had done something illegal by having his medication in my possession, did the police never contact him?" In any case, my patient despite being in very poor health and on hospice, came to court to testify on my behalf. The jury came back after a short break and had a question for the judge "Is it legal for a nurse to have possession of a patients medication, as long as the nurse is under the direction of the patient?" The judge answered simply this: "If you find that the she (meaning me) was acting in her role as a nurse then yes, she would be in legal possession of the medication." The jury came back 15 minutes later with the verdict of NOT GUILTY. This was a learning lesson to say the least. I have still continued to pick up all my patients medications regardless of how they are classed. I have not allowed the small town politics to dictate the level of care my patients receive. My patients and their families have bigger fish to fry being on hospice and they really should not have to worry about who will be able to pick up meds OR whether or not their nurse will be humiliated on the side of the road in the process of doing her job. I now carry a letter from each patient that I transport meds for stating that I am doing so under the consent of the prescribed and the prescribing doctor (to cover my patients and my ass). I am now researching ways to enact a law that prevents this from ever happening to ANY nurse again in my state, if you have any suggestions please leave me a comment. I am determined that this not happen again to anyone in our profession. We have lives to save and people to comfort and a quality of life to help establish and maintain for our patients and ourselves! Thank all!!!

[Ettienne]

Simply know and follow the guidelines and policies of the State you are licensed to practice!!

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

Even without my history of addiction, I wouldn't transport a patient's narcotics with a drone. All it takes is for a patient to claim they are 1 pill off and your goose is cooked. We have pharmacies that deliver, I say let them take on the liability. Even if you got car jacked ( which is not too far fetched in this day and age ) the authorities would be suspicious. You'd be surprised at the people willing to put a knot on their own head, or fill out a fake police report for narcotics. No way...

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

When I was a public health nurse I transported medication all the time (no street value to it, though). Why? It was policy and I was protected by a doctor's orders. Would I do the same as a home health nurse, given what I know now? Hmm. Not sure.

I am so very sorry that this happened to you, Kaitte. My answer to your question depends on what the policy is, and Persephone makes a really good point.