RAMP is a confidential, voluntarily program that operates as an alternative to disciplinary action for nurses who meet the qualifications. RAMP is also part of the reinstatement process for nurses with a licensing action.
“They have the opportunity — one bite of the apple — to get into the program and maybe save their career and their license,” Robinson adds. “So there’s plenty of inducement for them to cooperate [with our investigation] as opposed to taking more of a harder line. If they think they’re going to jail, they are more likely to back off and get scared and that doesn’t help anybody.
The RAMP program monitors participants with a five-point approach:
- Random drug screening and daily check-ins
- Peer support groups
- Support meetings (such as 12 step meetings)
- Outpatient therapy
- Return to work process and workplace monitoring
The program also provides the following services:
- Assistance with communication to licensing boards and other sanctioning agencies
- Third party drug screening
- Confidential data collection to document maintenance of recovery
- Independent resource regarding treatment options for and recovery from impaired practice
For more information, click here.
Preventing Illegal Drug Use By Patients
Hospital employees with addictions are not the only drug-related threats hospitals face, according to Atlantic Health System’s Director of Protection and Security Services Alan Robinson. He says the health service has practices in place if a patient appears to be using Schedule I substances (those with no medical purpose) in the facility.
“If [patients] are using in their rooms and they are on controlled substances that we are giving them for their conditions, there are risks to them and it could potentially be fatal,” he says. “We even go so far as to give nurses the signs to look for indicating that a patient could be addicted, and then instruct them to call [security].”
Atlantic Health System security officers perform a comprehensive search of the patient room, including the following areas:
- In fluorescent light tubes
- Inside fire alarm bells or smoke detectors
- In ceiling tiles
- In hollowed fruits and vegetables
- Hung behind curtains
- Inside TV set
- Inside pillows
The patient’s bathroom is also a potential hiding place for drugs. Officers check the following areas:
- Behind the kick plates of sink cabinets
- Inside or behind electric outlets
- In toothpaste tubes
- I
nside hollow curtain rods - Inside toilet tanks
- Within hollow soap bars
- In shower nozzle head
If hospital security officers suspect that drugs might be on a patient’s person, nurses will perform a search.
For a complete list of possible hiding places, click here.
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