Physician Drug Abuse Tied to Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

A recent report in USA Today illustrated the extent of physician drug abuse in the medical community. The report illustrated how doctors, nurses, anesthetists and other medical professionals have engaged in systematic theft and abuse of prescription drugs, including Percocet, Vicodin and Oxycontin. The report has raised concerns among medical professionals, insurance companies, patients and their families about the capabilities of their physicians and the potential for medical malpractice lawsuits.

Physician Drug Abuse a Pervasive Issue

According to the report, the problem of physician drug abuse has become a pervasive problem across the profession. A 2007 study from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed that more than 100,000 medical professionals abused prescription drugs each year. Other reports indicate that up to ten percent of all medical professionals are dealing with addiction. With the easy availability of drugs on the job, medical professionals face both major temptations and serious consequences.

Lack of Testing for Physician Drug Abuse

One of the more dangerous aspects of physician drug abuse is how easily those affected can hide their problems. Most hospitals and health care facilities lack any routine drug testing policies for their staff members. Most state and federal laws do not include policies for scheduled drug testing of health care professionals. The lack of any consistent drug testing policies can leave hospitals vulnerable to medical malpractice lawsuits if physicians attempt any diagnoses or procedures while under the influence.

Job Stress and Physician Drug Abuse

The stress of dealing with the sick and dying on a daily basis is often a major factor in addiction among physicians. Stephen Loyd, a doctor of internal medicine based in Tennessee, illustrates a prime example of physician drug abuse. Dr. Loyd used prescription pain relievers to deal with stress during his residency. At one point in 2004, Dr. Loyd was taking up to 100 pills a day, most of which he took from from the hospital pharmacy. He reported that his appearance, punctuality and overall job performance suffered during his addiction.

Health Risks from Physician Drug Abuse

When doctors undergo physician drug abuse, patients often suffer the consequences. David Kwiatkowski, a New Hampshire hospital worker, used hospital syringes to inject himself with pain medication, then refilled the syringes with saline. Mr. Kwiatkowski was also diagnosed with hepatitis C, one of the deadlier forms of liver disease. His actions infected more than 40 people and caused more than 8,000 to undergo testing for the disease. In December 2013, he was sentenced to 39 years in prison for tampering with a consumer product and fraudulently obtaining controlled substances.

Source: USA TODAY

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