PowerPoint on drug testing healthcare professionals

1. Drug Testing for
Healthcare Workers
Should Intermittent Testing
be Required?

2. Is There Really
an Issue?
Drugs are not only an
epidemic in the
community but also
among healthcare worker
10% of all medical
personnel are substance
abusers
What are the chances
one of them have taken
care of you or a loved one

3. Did You Know?
• Drug testing is not required by
law
• Intermittent drug testing can be
costly
• High risk for patient injury
• Self-medication is leading cause
of abuse
• Patient injury doesn’t result in
drug testing

4. Why turn to drugs?
• Controlled substances are easily
accessible
• High stress is associated with
healthcare
• Physical and emotional pain
coincides with healthcare

5. Whose at Greater Risk for Addiction?
Physicians:
• Psychiatrist
• Anesthesiologist
• Emergency medicine
• Surgical
Nursing:
• Intensive care
• Surgical
• Oncology
• Emergency medicine

6. Why Random Drug
Testing?
• Recognize problem
users
• Reduce patient related
injury or death
• Provides reassurance
for patients
• Reduce turnover rates
• Increase performance

7. It’s a Win Win
Immediate termination is not always necessary. Many hospitals offer
programs for employees who are abusing controlled substances.
Education programs can be initiated for all employees and patients to
recognize the signs and symptoms of substance abuse.
Hospital maintenance programs offer needed support and continued
guidance.
Patient injury is reduced and patient confidence in the healthcare
system is reinforced.