What should a nurse do if they suspect chemical impairment in a colleague?

What should a nurse do if they suspect chemical impairment in a colleague?

• A. Confront the colleague directly
• B. Notify patient safety board
• C. Ignore the concern
• D. Report the concern to an immediate supervisor

Answer: (D)

When you suspect chemical impairment in a colleague, the priority is to protect patients and ensure proper evaluation by following the established chain of command. The best action is to report the concern to an immediate supervisor. This starts the formal process so patient safety is maintained, and the colleague can be referred to occupational health or an employee assistance program as the policy directs. Directly confronting the colleague can trigger defensiveness and may not lead to a safe or productive resolution, and ignoring the concern leaves patients at risk. Notifying a patient safety board bypasses internal procedures and isn’t typically the first step; the supervisor coordinates the appropriate steps, documentation, and any temporary changes to duty while ensuring confidentiality. When reporting, provide objective observations—specific times, behaviors, and performance issues—to help the supervisor assess risk and determine the next actions.

When you suspect chemical impairment in a colleague, the priority is to protect patients and ensure proper evaluation by following the established chain of command. The best action is to report the concern to an immediate supervisor. This starts the formal process so patient safety is maintained, and the colleague can be referred to occupational health or an employee assistance program as the policy directs. Directly confronting the colleague can trigger defensiveness and may not lead to a safe or productive resolution, and ignoring the concern leaves patients at risk. Notifying a patient safety board bypasses internal procedures and isn’t typically the first step; the supervisor coordinates the appropriate steps, documentation, and any temporary changes to duty while ensuring confidentiality. When reporting, provide objective observations—specific times, behaviors, and performance issues—to help the supervisor assess risk and determine the next actions.