Alcohol and drug testing of health professionals following preventable adverse events: a bad idea.

John Banja

Commentary

Alcohol and drug testing of health professionals following preventable adverse events: a bad idea.

November 19, 2014

Banja J. Am J Bioeth. 2014;14(12):25-36.

View more articles from the same authors.

Human error and fallibility are a part of health care delivery that can be exacerbated by fatigue and system failures. This commentary explains why implementing a formal process for substance abuse testing following an adverse event is not a feasible risk management strategy. The author suggests that providing programs to promote speaking up when peer impairment is possible may enhance safety more effectively.

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