If you had a strong suspicion of a coworker's diversion of narcotics, how you handle it?
I'm talking, a nurse in the ER who habitually walks into the room with narcotic drawn up on your patient, right after you medicated, so then you have to waste with him. He has a history of being on a restricted license. He's a great nurse, very experienced, works a ton of OT.
It would probably financially ruin his life to get in trouble again, I don't know how many chances they give people. He functions very well on the job. Is it really the right thing to snitch on someone like this?
good discussin going on for this addiction problem. I woujld approach HIM, as a concerned friend! If he is a good nurse/employee, which screw things up by bringing admin in.
Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
This has been an interesting discussion. Why I decided to post is to offer more support to the OP and to the nurse who may be diverting. I do feel it is the OP's professional responsibility to go to the manager with his/her concerns. I was in this boat a long time ago. I was a new grad in a large trauma center ER and six months in when I noticed some behavior that was a bit of a red flag. The other nurse was an LVN and a darn good one. She had far more ER experience than I did and had been there for several years. What concerned me was that she always wanted to carry the narcotic keys (remember them?), which did not bother me. But when she was on break and I went to get the keys from her she always jumped up and insisted on medicating the patient. Another flag was her coming to ER every six weeks and getting a Demerol injection for a headache.
As time went on I became more suspicious and checked the narcotic log and then pulled charts, all paper back then. Looking back I don't think that was a good idea, but I was young, liked this nurse and did not want to go to management her if I was not as sure. The charts showed that she would write a verbal order on the chart, sign off as "given" and then sign out on the narcotic sheet. Some of the patients were not ordered or did not need a narcotic. For instance a 3 month old with an ear infection comes to mind. I did go to the manager who investigated more. The nurse was confronted on a shift when I was not there. She stormed out and slashed both wrists, cutting both flexor tendons. She was admitted to the ICU so she could be watched during her hospitalization. I felt horribly guilty but did realize she needed help.
This was in 1971, many moons ago. Since then I have known some great nurses who have had very serious problems with diversion, some even forging prescriptions. In the state where I live now, you can get a second chance depending on the charges, and I applaud this, as I feel strongly everyone deserves a second chance. And his/her life may be saved. I think we have to have compassion for all involved. I hope you're doing better, Emergent.
Report it. If you fear that your coworker may confront you asking you if you reported them, you can ask to be assigned different shifts. Security can also escort you to the car at the end of the shift.
Boomer,
I remember those keys. I'd never allow an LPN to carry those keys. So what was the outcome on the LPN? Guilty?
I think some may have missed the post where Emergent tolds us the suspected diversion has been reported
The matter is now out of my hands. I'm told that pharmacy and my manager are going up chain of command with this problem. The union can also get involved as they see fit. I pray for the most positive outcome possible.
Specializes in Med Surg/ICU/Psych/Emergency/CEN/retired.
LVNs were allowed to carry keys at that facility way back then. I went to see her in the ICU and do not know if she knew it was I who had instigated the investigation. She admitted to management to diverting and always gave it IM, never IV. This happened in April. She did not come back to work before I left at the end of June. So I do not know how it all played out.
I did see that Emergent had reported it but guessed she might need some additional support.
Report it. If you fear that your coworker may confront you asking you if you reported them, you can ask to be assigned different shifts. Security can also escort you to the car at the end of the shift.
Boomer,
I remember those keys. I'd never allow an LPN to carry those keys. So what was the outcome on the LPN? Guilty?
Just out of curiosity why wouldn't you let a lpn carry the keys when they carry them in every nursing home? Not being fresh or anything just wondering 🤔
diverters is a word..but plain English would be a LOT easier to understand. I have a BSCN..or BS in Nursing, but I prefer talking to patients and staff in plain english. Cool Buzzwords is are nice but hang your ego at the door, when we chat.
diverters is a word..but plain English would be a LOT easier to understand. I have a BSCN..or BS in Nursing, but I prefer talking to patients and staff in plain english. Cool Buzzwords is are nice but hang your ego at the door, when we chat.
Okay, well, then can you speak more plainly, please? Because I have no idea what this post means...
Roy Hanson
211 Posts
good discussin going on for this addiction problem. I woujld approach HIM, as a concerned friend! If he is a good nurse/employee, which screw things up by bringing admin in.