The very idea of a doctor or a nurse responsible for taking care of a patient’s needs while under the influence of drugs seems unthinkable. However, the ever-increasing number of diseases cropping up now and then has led to a demand in healthcare needs which has put medical experts under a lot of stress. Numerous doctors and nurses have reportedly abused illicit drugs or suffered from alcohol addiction. Drug testing/ screening has therefore become a compulsory procedure that doctors and nurses have to go through on a routine basis.
What is the truth behind drug testing for healthcare professionals?
You will be surprised to know that most medical professionals responsible for the health of numerous patients do not have to go through any form of drug testing or alcohol testing procedure. Although in certain cases, medical experts need to undergo a drug test during the hiring process, they are not subjected to any random drug or alcohol screening.
In addition to this, unlike hospital employees, private physicians are not required to be drug screened at all. However, it should be taken into consideration because medical care is a safety-sensitive job, and physicians who abuse substances and alcohol can endanger their patients. Random drug and alcohol testing should not just be stipulated to physicians but for every healthcare worker due to the easy access to substances and drugs.
Why more and more healthcare experts are abusing drugs and alcohol after COVID-19?
As per reports, 51% of healthcare experts have even caved to this pressure after the pandemic and have turned to substance abuse, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us look at some of the other primary reasons why doctors and nurses tend to turn to addiction:-
- Stress: With the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the stress surrounding the healthcare profession has increased sevenfold. This stress has prompted many healthcare experts to turn to drug and alcohol abuse. In addition to this, it is also easy to procure drugs because of the profession.
- Economic issues: With the COVID-19 pandemic, a large chunk of the population has been hit with a devastating economic crisis. The stress of having to take care of a rising surge of patients in emergency care along with money problems has led to a rising number of drug and alcohol abuse cases among healthcare professionals.
- Trauma: The COVID-19 pandemic left nothing but a lot of trauma in its wake, especially for healthcare workers who had to deal with it on a daily basis. Reports say that doctors and nurses suffering from COVID-related PTSD have started using drugs at an alarming rate.
- Discrimination: The COVID-19 pandemic not only saw a steady rise in Xenophobia in the world but also saw a huge increase in discrimination against healthcare workers due to the fear of contracting the disease. This has led to the COVID Stress Syndrome which has also been a rising cause of drug abuse among doctors and nurses.
Can healthcare experts legally use medical Marijuana in Arizona?
The local hospital system in Phoenix, Arizona called Valleywise Health has recently shown leniency when it comes to employees using medical Marijuana in their new drug testing policy. However, it is still under revision and is unclear if it has been implemented actively.
As per the Phoenix New Times, Timothy Costello, a nurse in Valleywise Health reportedly advised by supervisors to not use medical Marijuana because it could result in his job termination. Even if it was legal, Costello was a 42-year-old military veteran who filed a lawsuit against Valleywise because he switched to medical Marijuana for sleep troubles and back pain. But, the revising of the new policy is more likely to make this lawsuit moot.
Why Affordable Rapid Testing is your go-to drug testing/screening option?
With the rising number of drug abuse cases among medical professionals, drug and alcohol testing has become a mandate for doctors and nurses. As far as regular drug tests go, getting the most accurate lab result is the best way to keep patients safe. Affordable Rapid Testing is a testing service with dedicated centers in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. They seek to offer the quickest and hassle-free testing services like drug urine testing
And others that are relatively painless. To know more, visit their official website.
