Regardless of where one practices, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) may come across ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. One such ethical dilemma may occur when they notice suspicion of substance abuse or medication diverting involving a nurse co-worker or colleague and is faced with reporting the incident. The CRNA has a responsibility to protect the patient as a healthcare provider, from those who are incompetent, impaired, or engaged in unsafe, illegal, or unethical practices. The CRNA has not only a moral, but a professional, legal, obligation to report this incident.
The American Nurse Association (ANA), American Association of Nurse Anesthetist (AANA), and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) all recognize substance use disorders (SUD) as a disease process according Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Substance use disorders are defined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) “as a recurrent use of alcohol or other drugs that …show more content…
It can result in lost lives to include the patient and healthcare provider. There can be excessive costs to the health care system, damage to careers, impaired health of nurses and, most importantly, neglect of and harm to people entrusted to our care. Proactive monitoring by nurse managers is essential, given the potential consequences for all involved. Finally, a revamping of the anesthesia policies to include prevention, detection and intervention strategies need to be in place. With that, SUD assistance programs, education and research should follow those recommended by the American Nurse Association (ANA), American Association of Nurse Anesthetist (AANA), and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to reflect the latest evidenced based practice