The Impaired Patient
POLICY:
Patients who present for care while under the influence of
any illicit chemical substance, including drugs or alcohol,
will not receive treatment. Medical history and other
information received from a patient who is under the
influence of drugs or alcohol may be unreliable; additionally
it may be dangerous to the staff and/or the patient for the
patient to be examined or receive sedating medications while
impaired.
PROCEDURE:
The physician in charge will speak to the patient in private,
presenting a non-judgmental explanation of organizational
policy, including safety issues of combining alcohol or drug
substances with medications used for sedation.
Appropriate resources for detoxification and counseling will
be offered when possible.
Approved By Governing Board
EP.12
Control #280.0
GUPTA GASTRO