A Departmental Policy Addressing Chemical Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a major socioeconomic problem. However, the ready availability of potent narcotic and sedative drugs probably constitutes a unique risk for anesthesiologists. Until recently, few anesthesia departments were prepared to recognize or safely manage afflicted colleagues. Because we felt it important to educate our staff and residents and to have a response mechanism established prior to the advent of a substance abuse problem, a departmental committee was formed to develop a Substance Abuse Policy. The policy has served to increase our general awareness and to direct our actions effectively when dealing with physician impairment. It is presented here in the belief that other departments might find it useful in tailoring their approach to this problem.