Thanks, Jack "The Smack" Stem at http://www.peeradvocacyforimpairednurses.com/why.html for emailing this to me yesterday.
Everything that has a beginning has an end, Neo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orXDu3Stb-c
The Ohio Medical Board issued a resolution regarding prescription drug abuse last week.
See http://www.med.ohio.gov/pdf/PrescriptionDrug%20Abuse.pdf.
See also http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20110311/NEWS01/103110309/DeWine-Ohio-medical-board-must-fight-prescription-drug-abuse-harder for an idea of what's coming for licensed healthcare professionals with prescriptive authority like MDs and APRNs.
Why is this important for nurses?
* Nurses who are prescribed controlled substances by their physicians or APRNs and practice nursing. Its a balancing act yet I don't think there is an appreciation of the risks and liabilities for nurses who take "prescribed" controlled substances and then report to work or who take meds while at work; and
* APRNs in private practice or who work for/with docs in private practice and have prescriptive authority. The State Medical Boards and State Nursing Boards go hard in these cases and unfortunately the majority of docs and nurses will represent themselves with the "I didn't do anything wrong" defense.
More about the "I didn't do anything wrong defense" and how it applies to me this week.
Guess what? I saw this coming two years ago and put together a webinar sponsored by the Center for American Nurses titled:
A Balancing Act in the Workplace, Managing the Risks When a Nurse Takes Prescribed Medication
This is one of my fav. Center webinars and I provide this CD to clients.
See http://www.can.affiniscape.com/storelistitem.cfm?itemnumber=13
What are you saying LaTonia? Just give it to me straight without the legal mumbo jumbo.
If you are a nurse (RN, LPN, and APRN) and you are prescribed controlled substances for chronic pain, a nurses back, etc.; is this affecting your nursing practice? What are the risks and potential liabilities for you and your nursing practice? Remember you are your own risk manager on Nursing Law & Order; this isn't Nursing Law & Disorder, not yet anyway.http://advocatefornurses.typepad.com/my2cents/2011/03/the-plan-do-you-need-assistance-with-revising-reviewing-or-developing-the-plan-we-can-help.html
If you are APRN with prescriptive authority, what does this mean for your nursing practice? How can you develop strategies to protect your nursing practice and your nursing license with the "heat" being placed on prescriptive drug abuse? http://advocatefornurses.typepad.com/my2cents/2011/03/the-plan-do-you-need-assistance-with-revising-reviewing-or-developing-the-plan-we-can-help.html
Allegations involving the inappropriate prescribing of controlled substances are complex because multiple state, federal, and/or national agencies or groups are involved on various levels. The implications for MDs and APRNs who prescribe and for LPNs, RNs, and APRNS who use controlled substances and practice are really starting to take shape in the last 3 years. Get ahead of this issue if this applies to you and your nursing practice, its risk management, baby!
This isn't an issue where you want to be caught with your pants down with the pics on FB and the video U-Tube. Be proactive and manage the risk and if you need assistance managing the risks, seek assistance. This is just how licensed healthcare professionals should roll!
Glad the information is useful. I knew it would get to a large number of nurses by sending it to you. Thanks for all you do for nurses, especially those dealing with substance abuse and chemical dependence.
Posted by: Jack Stem | March 19, 2011 at 10:04 AM