Posted by rxnurse on December 10, 2003, at 14:24:46
In reply to Re: What happens in treatment center-Great Post!, posted by krazybirdlady on December 10, 2003, at 13:55:06
Where I was working, all of the drugs including the narcs were dispensed through an ATM-like device called a Pixus. All you have to have is an access code, finger print, patient's name, and what meds you needed. So, nurses could enter false patient names or ones that have been transported to other units or even discharged. If there was any error at all when trying to get a narc out of the Pixus, it sends an alert message to the ER manager's computer and she comes looking for you for an explanation! Everything dispensed by the Pixus is on a database. On other floors the old fashioned narc log book is used which is easier to cheat because it gets passed around the floor and there are margins for error. My friend who used Demerol was mainlining it every day at work in the bathroom. She was never caught, officially. I can'not imagine being loaded at work, much less injecting myself with a needle! I have heard that Demerol in particular, is the most euphoric narcotic. It is a totally synthetic narcotic, and only used now for severe pain or for those who can't tolerate opiates. The major problem with Demerol is it's neurotoxic metabolite, which builds up in the liver. Other nurses choose Fentanyl, which is an opiate usually used during sugery. They say it produces a very pleasant high with some amnesiac effects. I guess anesthesiologists prefer Fentanyl as well. The whole thing is really very sad, for the professions as a whole. We are taught in school to give all to our profession and patients. I didn't learn a thing in school about how to take care of myself mentally nor physically when a work related crisis arose. Nurses in California are grossly overworked and underpaid. What happens when we all get sick from too much work and stress????? This is what's happening to Mandybella. Nothing is more important than your personal well-being and overall health! You can not take care of others if you are suffering. Your work must be somehow affected by the Ambien, someone is going to find out. Do not jeopardize your well-being, please seek professional help. There are lots of superb doctors, nurses and other professionals out there with your same problem. If they can do it, so can you!
poster:rxnurse
thread:286905
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20031208/msgs/288450.html