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What are the signs of drug diversion?
Medication diversion is all too common and can be difficult to spot, but look for these signs:
- Strange stories. Be wary of new patients with stories that don’t seem quite right.
- Reluctance to cooperate.
- Unusually high (or low) understanding of medications.
- Strange symptoms.
- Specific drug requests.
What happens if a nurse is accused of drug diversion?
Diverting Drugs: BRN Investigations An impaired nurse, when accused of misappropriating controlled substances, can face criminal prosecution, civil malpractice actions, and disciplinary actions against his or her RN license by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
Do nurses have access to drugs?
Access. Nurses differ from the general population in that they work in an environment where they can easily access controlled substances. Studies have shown that nurses are more likely to use drugs when their workplace access to these substances increases.
Can nurse force patient to take medication?
Nurses must also honor their patients’ legal rights to autonomy and choice about medical care. Except when a court orders medical care, nurses can’t force a patient to undergo medical treatment, and must ensure that patients give informed consent to each treatment.
How to avoid medication errors in nursing?
Identify the Right Patient. Identifying the right patient is the most important key in preventing medication errors.
Can RN dispense medications?
There are currently 16 states in the U.S. that allow registered nurses to dispense a limited number of medications under specific criteria. Nurses must refer to their individual state Board of Nursing for direction on dispensing medication in their state.
Do nurses get drug tested?
Doctors and Nurses Should be Tested for Drugs and Alcohol: Medical Ethicist. The measure, known as Proposition 46, was opposed by doctors, hospitals and medical insurance companies. Currently no state has such a requirement. Doctors are not the only medical professionals who should be tested, Dr. Caplan says.