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An Intervention On Substance Use Disorder

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Despite some hesitance to reporting CRNAs with substance use disorder, depending on the state, individuals may have certain legal responsibilities to report an impaired colleague. According to the AANA, “States may hold colleagues responsible for harm to patients if they fail to report a coworker in whom substance use disorder is suspected” (2016). A chemically impaired provider might give inappropriate doses in an effort to divert some of the narcotic resulting in inadequate analgesia for the patient (Luck and Hedrick, 2004). Impairment of a colleague in the workplace can have harmful patient safety implications. Bringing a suspected colleague to the attention of a supervisor or someone who can help is an act of caring and concern, not…show more content…
If participating in an intervention, recognize that it may take more than an allotted amount of time and allow your focus to be on the impaired colleague by eliminating diversions such as cell phones. Lastly, the intervention plan should include preparation for immediate drug testing and directly following the intervention, an accompanied transfer to a hospital treatment center. After confronting the individual, do not let the person out of sight. The impaired colleague is likely experiencing feelings of shame and helplessness and is at high risk for suicide (Roy, 2008; Bryson and Hazma, 2011; Lineberger, 2008). Only if the intervention fails and the colleague refuses evaluation, you should threaten to call the police (Bryson and Hazma, 2011). Again, the goal of an intervention is not to accuse or diagnosis, but to have the individual submit for drug testing and in-patient evaluation. Automated medication dispensing machines and reconciliation systems for controlled substances make it more difficult for anesthesia providers with SUD to obtain drugs and can alert others about suspicious behavior (Lineberger, 2008). However, conducting random drug screens on all practicing anesthesia providers can aid in identifying impaired providers earlier and conducting interventions sooner. As previously noted, behavioral changes such as mood swings and withdrawal are often seen first at home. In regards to detection of SUD in the workplace,
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