Request for help from Pain; What's your next move?

[drusso]

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[hyperalgesia]

I would approach the nurse and tell her it is unethical and illegal to eavesdrop on calls with pts. You're just looking out for her because you don't want her to get in trouble (again) but it's very serious. Don't discuss your private conversations with her. End of story.

 

[Agast]

Ignore and move on

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

By calling addicts jerks the doc in question was also calling that nurse a jerk, hence her reaction given her history of opioid abuse.

There is absolutely nothing to be gained by confronting her assuming this doesn't happen again.

 

[dhcofc]

The nurse has a valid point. We work in a tough environment and it is reasonable for her to share how she feels with you. In my office we often have to re-evaluate how loud we are talking, who can hear us, and remind ourselves how easy it is to get jaded and think patients with substance use are “bad.” I don’t think it is illegal to just overhear a discussion. It is illegal recording a conversation that you aren’t party to - federal wiretapping law.

 

[deleted993114]

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Is she your nurse?

If so, you need to get her re-assigned, as she will be a trouble maker.

I have had two such nurses in my career, and they are toxic to a clinic. This will not be the end of her “input”. You cannot fire such a person, as now she will be a “whistle blower” and firing would magnify the situation.

If she is not your nurse- do nothing and move on, learning from the experience.

 

[Ferrismonk]

You discharged him for asking for more pain medication? That doesn't make sense.

Also, I think the whole conversation is messed up. If you gave the maximum allowed by law and want to give more, blame the government who made the law. Tell him to write his congressman. If he is taking more opiates than prescribed, then it's his fault, not other "addicts", not the government, and certainly not yours. Do you really think that he "needs" opiates in a "decent supply" to "hold him over"? What is this? 2005?

Regarding the nurse, thank her for her opinion and move on.

 

[RM38]

Why is a nurse whom was caught diverting meds to herself allowed to work in a pain practice? I can see how if she completed rehab and took appropriate steps she may be allowed to keep working, but she shouldn’t be in a pain office. Agree she should probably be transferred elsewhere as she will continue to get offended every time there is an issue with a patient like this.

 

[clubdeac]

You discharged him for asking for more pain medication? That doesn't make sense.

Also, I think the whole conversation is messed up. If you gave the maximum allowed by law and want to give more, blame the government who made the law. Tell him to write his congressman. If he is taking more opiates than prescribed, then it's his fault, not other "addicts", not the government, and certainly not yours. Do you really think that he "needs" opiates in a "decent supply" to "hold him over"? What is this? 2005?

Regarding the nurse, thank her for her opinion and move on.

You read it wrong. He didn't discharge him for asking for more pain medication. Read the sentence again. And he essentially did blame the government when he said it was the most he was allowed to give due to the law.

 

[clubdeac]

However, I agree with the above posts. Ignore it and move on as infuriating as her comment was. Or you could respond, "Thank you. It's not worth much"

 

[AKMD_1984]

Thank the nurse for her input. Tell her that she is violating patient privacy law by evesdropping on a conversation between a physician and a patient. She is not involved in that doctor patient relationship. She can be fined 5-10k for that. CC the email to her supervisor for this breach as well.