[NP-Clinical] Inappropriate narcotic seeking revisited

[Diana Galler]

I just went to a physiatrist for an initial eval this afternoon to help me with sciatica from a back problem I'm refusing fusion and instrumentation for and to help get me ready for the last 2-3 big races (including the big NYC Marathon-- YAHOOO!!) I have coming up in the next 2-3 months (YIKES-- is that all???). Part of the new patient packet included a two page narcotic contract I had to sign, spelling out EVERYTHING that I, as a provider, could possibly think of, along with many other points I had never even thought of. Interesting-- if you lose your meds or they are stolen, or if you have to take more than normal and run out sooner, THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO EARLY REFILLS!!  Only exception is if they had been stolen and you have a police report to document it. When I think of all the times I had to refill meds that had disappeared in some way or another!!  Also, no refills EVER on weekends, holidays, or after 4p.m.M-Th  when the on-call doc doesn't know you.  This group
 is definitely covering their a****. 
  Dena Galler

Sue Wiers <sgwiers at hotmail.com> wrote:
  I watched the recent thread on this subject and didn't choose to respond as 
others had already voiced opinions that matched mine. Illegal behavior is 
illegal behavior and can be harmful to society. However, 'a face' was put 
on the subject for me this week. An 18-year old boy in our small village 
died this week as a result of an oxycontin overdose. His mother found him. 
I no longer 'knew' him and hadn't seen him or his mother in years. However, 
I do remember when his sister and my son attended kindegarten together and 
when he was born. I recall this darling blond-haired little boy as a 
toddler. I have a hard time imagining the horror his mother felt when she 
found him.

I was a hospice nurse for five years and believe in the appropriate, 
medicinal use of controlled substances. I am not afraid of these drugs. 
Substance abuse is a complex issue and needs to be addressed on many fronts. 
Our job as providers is to prescribe in a responsible manner and I do 
believe that we are responsible for taking appropriate action when we 
believe illegal activity has occurred.

Sue Wiers FNP

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