What would you do?

[reallyoldnurse]

A Respiratory Therapist (who is a known drug user) was caught in the PIXIS with the vicodin drawer open and EIGHT Vicodin-10 pills missing!

Why my concern? Well, I am the RN who was in a hurry and did not exit out of the PIXIS machine completely. It was MY Pixis ID under which the drugs were stolen and I am the one who found him standing in front of the Pixis with the Vicodin drawer open, discovered the discrepancy and reported all this to the nursing supervisor. I also had to get urine tested, but I passed the drug test as I do NOT do drugs.

I was hoping he would be refered to a recovery program and would be in treatment the next time our paths crossed, but now it appears that he has outsmarted the system. He was not searched immediatly, so he had time to hide the missing drugs. Prior to the urine test, he only reported being on cold medicine. After testing positive for Vicodin, he "conveniently" produced a script due to "an old back injury".

According to other co-workers he has using street narcotics as well as been suspected of diverting narcotics by stealing wasted vials from the red boxes on the walls in empty patient rooms. I am appalled that the hospital is allowing him to continue to work, but since he was not busted on the spot with the narcotics in hand, they could not do anything to him.

Since they are one of the hospitals who hire professionals in recovery, I know they will be more lenient than other hospitals in the area. So, I have to continue to work with this man who I now know is a thief, a drug user, someone who "outsmarted" the system and who, but for the grace of God, could have cost me my nursing license. If I hadnt caught him in the PIXIS under MY id, there would have been NO way that I could have proven that I had not stolen the missing narcotics, and I would have been the one being referred to the recovery program for something I didn't do!

He will be back to work this weekend. What do I say to him when I do have to work with him?

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

Don't say anything to him. DOn't talk to him at all. Make sure you change your password, and never ever leave the damn thing open for someone else to use.

Ultimately, no matter how mad you are, it is your fault that he was able to steal them under your name. Slow down a little bit and make sure you sign out. Also, don't let anyone look over your shoulder when you're typing the password. If it is one of those that has a finger scanner, then don't worry about it too much,, but I would still hide my password.

SIGN OUT EVERYTIME YOU LEAVE IT!

It is not personal for him. Drug addicts sneak in at every opportunity to get what they need. His mind is swimming with thoughts he can't control. He didn't pick YOU to victimize, you just happen to be the one that left the pixis open.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Reallyoldnurse - OMG! I mean, crap! That is a horrible situation to be in. I agree with Mag, she is giving you good information. That is such a crappy situation.

I wouldn't say anything to him, but I would be livid just looking at him. And I would WANT to say something to him, but they are four letter words and wouldn't do you much good.

Anne

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You really don't have to say anything except what pertains to work. If he tries to speak to you, just politely say "I'm sorry, but because of what when down between us when I saw you take the Vicodin under my name, I just can't bring myself to speak to you but on a work-related basis." Do not sugar coat it.

You bumped it up the chain of command and they dealt with it. Don't torture yourself with anger. His world will come crashing down on him soon enough...it always does, this I promise you.