Question

What should you, the anesthesia technician, do if you discover a controlled substance during a room turnover and the anesthesia provider is unavailable?

A) Immediately alert the operating room pharmacist.
B) Wait for the anesthesia provider.
C) Obtain a witness and return the controlled substance yourself, properly documenting the process.
D) Try to return the substance to the anesthesia team that was in the room before you.
E) Waste the substance per hospital policy.

Answer 1

In the scenario where you find a controlled substance during room turnover, obtain a witness, return the substance, and document properly. Avoid any actions not prescribed by hospital policies, as mishandling could lead to serious consequences.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you, as an anesthesia technician, discover a controlled substance during a room turnover and the anesthesia provider is unavailable, the proper course of action would be to obtain a witness and return the controlled substance yourself, properly documenting the process. It is critical to follow hospital protocol to ensure that all substances are accounted for and to avoid potential legal and safety issues. Controlled substances must be handled with utmost responsibility, and any deviations from protocol, such as wasting the substance without proper authorization, could lead to serious consequences.

Maintaining accurate records of controlled substances helps prevent unfortunate incidents like the one described where a healthcare worker struggling with addiction manipulated syringes, resulting in severe consequences for patients. It is part of the clinical focus to ensure a secure environment for both the staff and patients. Documentation and proper handling of controlled substances are integral to the safety and security measures within healthcare settings.