Substance Impaired Colleagues: Know the Common Behaviors and Take Action
Colleagues play an important part in recognizing and reporting behaviors they see in their co-workers to supervisors or department managers. Like the saying goes: “If you see something, say something.”
Recognizing the common behaviors associated with substance use in health care professionals can reduce the risk of harm to patients. Here are signs to be aware of, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA):
- Confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating or recalling details and instructions
- Difficulty with authority
- Elaborate excuses
- Frequent or unexplained tardiness, work absences, illness or physical complaints
- Ordinary tasks require greater effort and take more time than usual
- Poorly explained errors, accidents or injuries
- Refuses substance testing
- Relationship discord
- Under performance
- Unreliability in keeping appointments and meeting deadlines
- Wearing long sleeves when inappropriate
- Visibly intoxicated
Here are common behaviors of diversion:
- Appearance at the hospital or on the unit on days off
- Coming in early or staying late
- Disappearing into the restroom, office or car after accessing the narcotics cabinet
- Falsifying records by charting a full dose was given when only a partial dose or no dose was given
- Found with syringes or medication
- Picking up extra work shifts
- Requesting specific assignments that enable access to drugs such as opioids and barbiturates
Ideally, the health care professional will acknowledge his or her inappropriate behavior and seek help voluntarily. However, this may not be the case because of denial, shame, guilt, fear of job loss, licensure problems, or legal issues. Thankfully, many resources are available to help the professional receive the support they need. The Nebraska Licensee Assistance Program is one resource that can help. It just takes a phone call to get started.
If you or someone you know is a licensed healthcare professional and experiencing a substance use disorder, please reach out to the NE LAP at (800) 851-2336 or (402) 354-8055 to begin the recovery process.
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