I have been a nurse for many years and one could say I’ve been around the block a few times. I still love my job and I feel strongly that most of us who work at the bedside taking care of the sick are here for the right reason. I believe most Doctors think they’re doing a good job. Certainly all of our ICU Physicians in the Medical Intensive Care that I work in are wonderful dedicated and caring. Yet something is not right!
The numbers of Americans addicted to Prescription drugs has skyrocketed. Worse than that is the needless and inefficient use of medications. We are poisoning people instead of helping them. We are killing not curing them. The Pharmaceutical Industry keeps churning out growing numbers of drugs. They advertising their medications on TV and even with the long lists of side effects people take these poisons. They’re advised to ‘ask your physician if this medication is right for you’. Primary Physicians seem to prescribe vast numbers of unnecessary drugs to hapless patients who will take anything they are told to take.
Why is this happening and who benefits? No need to answer that was a rhetorical question. It’s very clear to all but the people who are suffering the consequences i.e. the patients. I have admitted people with some of the newer more expensive drugs even though one has to wonder if the old and proven drug wouldn’t have been a better choice. Pharmaceutical companies are making money and they line the pockets of Physicians who feel they are entitled to the kickbacks. It’s a very bad thing.
I had a patient recently admitted with malignant hypertension. She had a long medical history and a lengthy list of medications she takes every day. She admits she takes 2 mgs Ativan orally 3 times a day. Her urine drug screen confirms this. Yet that Ativan was not on her Med Rec and so it was not being given. Her admitting doctor says her hypertension is because she’s noncompliant with her medications. I know that’s not the reason we have her on a Nipride drip and it’s obvious she’s in withdrawal. Where does she get the Ativan? She says the express clinics. No records of Ativan that’s not right.
I see patients with Medication Reconciliation forms that are pages long. It’s out of control. We have to step back from all the pills and give patients other choices to get their health and lives under control. There is not a pill for every aliment, we need to educate and motivate our patients to healthier choices. We have to remember to ‘do no harm’.
Dora Meulman
Dora Meulman
2 comments:
Dora,
I agree with most of your comments.
Yet, I also fear for our patients with horrendous battlefield injuries (TBI) and PTSD; who are needing major surgeries to repair less "emergent" injuries; yet, will likely not return to "who I was before I went to war".
From my own experiences, for those of us who have gone in harm's way, some injuries take a long time to heal. The injuries to our bodies, souls and minds may, or may not, ever heal, fully.
I agree with your concerns. However, I really resent that DEA spends a lot of its time trying to "take-down" doctors who are legitimate "Pain Specialists" who address what many injury victims and chronic pain victims need, as "Drug Dealers", "Frauds", "Unprofessional", "Unethical", and, "Illegal".
Chronic pain, physical or psychological, needs to be better addressed by our medical, legal, and, more importantly, political system to realize and help those of us who "went among them", when were sent or volunteered; yet, got dismissed by the bureaucrats who never left their REMF location (look it up).
Drugs are not the enemy.
Bad medicine is not the solution for our national problem with patients who do not fit the assumptions of those who never went "to the pointy end of the spear".
Been there, at the pointy end of the spear, didn't like it; but felt it best served the duty I'd sworn to do.
Please do not confuse the "drug-seeking" behavior of bad-actors on the streets of most American streets with the legitimate needs for the "pain management" of both physical and psychological pain of those who have served us well, at their/our own jeopardy.
Arresting doctors who treat us, is not a solution to the problem our nation faces. Too many pills are out there? Yes, I agree. Stopping the abuses, vs, those who are compassionately treating those of us who no one else will??
I think we need to be very careful what we stop vs what we help. First, do no harm? Sometimes, which is which, is not clear. IMHO. Paul
Gratitude for your comment Paul your input and opinion is appreciated.
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