RocketMedic
Californian, Lost in Texas
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Recently, I was very disappointed to see a familiar name on the Texas DSHS enforcement site:
[attachment censored by Community Leader]
This person was, in many ways, a kindred spirit in that we both shared progressive ideals of EMS care, were passionate about the field and helping people, and worked in similar environments. I do truly believe that he is a good, compassionate provider at heart, and that he started into and worked in this field with the most noble of goals in mind, but somewhere, the disease of addiction seems to have claimed him and cost him his profession and his reputation. This is a tragedy. From Facebook groups to EMTLife, I always respected his opinion and ideas, even if we disagreed. I will not identify this member's username, but as the DSHS site is public domain, I think that it is important that we see the real-world consequences of these decisions. Diversion is a career killer, and that's absolutely appropriate IMO. We need to be trusted, and tolerating diversion is an unacceptable solution. It eventually gets necessary drugs pulled off of trucks, and that's not a great solution for our patients.
As a management student though, this is a learning experience for me. First, the narcotics-accountability system cannot rely on trust or assumptions, it needs to be as foolproof as possible. Patients were harmed in this event, and that is unacceptable. Although any system can be penetrated, I think that a lot of complications can be avoided if a rigorous, appropriate system of securing narcotics, ensuring that they are given appropriately, and disposed of appropriately is implemented- no matter who is doing the administration. Second, I wonder what (if anything) could be done to catch these employees before they get to this point- and save both them and our agencies from diversion. I sense that more-secure and sensitive processes could have alleviated this. Third, and hardest, I reckon that we have a responsibility as professionals and leaders to recognize that diversion is a problem, and need to both guard against it and positively teach our new providers why it isn't acceptable. I know that if I could go back in time and tell this member what would happen to him, he would likely have not listened- but if there had been better options available, or if his addiction could have been treated, a talented paramedic could be rehabilitated. Should this even be an option?
This is also making me reflect upon how, as a future leader, I would identify diversion should it occur. It's pretty well known that I'm pretty aggressive and liberal with appropriate pain management as a paramedic, especially in comparison to the "sucks to be you LOL I don't medicate fakers" crowd that a certain Middle-of-America EMS service accumulated when I was there- but I am also now seeing the other side of that, especially from the perspective of a system beyond a realistic span of control. What's the difference between appropriate use of narcotics and excessive use, and at what point does it start to concern a leader? What steps can we take to balance appropriate pain management for patients and appropriate safeguards on narcotics use? What systems do we currently use, and what can we do better?
@NomadicMedic @TransportJockey @TXmed
[attachment censored by Community Leader]
This person was, in many ways, a kindred spirit in that we both shared progressive ideals of EMS care, were passionate about the field and helping people, and worked in similar environments. I do truly believe that he is a good, compassionate provider at heart, and that he started into and worked in this field with the most noble of goals in mind, but somewhere, the disease of addiction seems to have claimed him and cost him his profession and his reputation. This is a tragedy. From Facebook groups to EMTLife, I always respected his opinion and ideas, even if we disagreed. I will not identify this member's username, but as the DSHS site is public domain, I think that it is important that we see the real-world consequences of these decisions. Diversion is a career killer, and that's absolutely appropriate IMO. We need to be trusted, and tolerating diversion is an unacceptable solution. It eventually gets necessary drugs pulled off of trucks, and that's not a great solution for our patients.
As a management student though, this is a learning experience for me. First, the narcotics-accountability system cannot rely on trust or assumptions, it needs to be as foolproof as possible. Patients were harmed in this event, and that is unacceptable. Although any system can be penetrated, I think that a lot of complications can be avoided if a rigorous, appropriate system of securing narcotics, ensuring that they are given appropriately, and disposed of appropriately is implemented- no matter who is doing the administration. Second, I wonder what (if anything) could be done to catch these employees before they get to this point- and save both them and our agencies from diversion. I sense that more-secure and sensitive processes could have alleviated this. Third, and hardest, I reckon that we have a responsibility as professionals and leaders to recognize that diversion is a problem, and need to both guard against it and positively teach our new providers why it isn't acceptable. I know that if I could go back in time and tell this member what would happen to him, he would likely have not listened- but if there had been better options available, or if his addiction could have been treated, a talented paramedic could be rehabilitated. Should this even be an option?
This is also making me reflect upon how, as a future leader, I would identify diversion should it occur. It's pretty well known that I'm pretty aggressive and liberal with appropriate pain management as a paramedic, especially in comparison to the "sucks to be you LOL I don't medicate fakers" crowd that a certain Middle-of-America EMS service accumulated when I was there- but I am also now seeing the other side of that, especially from the perspective of a system beyond a realistic span of control. What's the difference between appropriate use of narcotics and excessive use, and at what point does it start to concern a leader? What steps can we take to balance appropriate pain management for patients and appropriate safeguards on narcotics use? What systems do we currently use, and what can we do better?
@NomadicMedic @TransportJockey @TXmed
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