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Medical College of Georgia
Graduate Medical Education Policies and Procedures
Office of Primary Responsibility: Graduate Medical Education
No. HS 1.0

Chemical/Substance Abuse

1.0 Purpose
To provide guidelines regarding chemical/substance abuse dependence of House Officers at the Medical College of Georgia

2.0 Procedure

2.1 The Medical College of Georgia and MCG Health Inc., are committed to the medical education of the House Officer who enters treatment for chemical dependence and referral to appropriate assistance for House Officers identified as having chemical dependence and/or substance abuse problems during training.

2.2  Substance abuse shall mean:

          2.2.1  The use of possession of any drug in a manner prohibited by     

          law; and  

          2.2.2  The use of alcohol or any legal drug or other substance in such

          a way that the users performance as a health care provider is impaired

          Policy 1.4.32 Substance Abuse Policy 

2.3 The Department Chairperson and/or Residency Program Director will be responsible for determining whether a House Officer is suffering from untreated or relapsing chemical dependence and/or substance abuse.  A House Officer suffering from active chemical dependence and/or substance abuse shall be immediately placed on leave of absence and referred for appropriate treatment.  Risk Management and the Graduate Medical Education Office must be informed.

2.3.1 Department Chairpersons and/or Program Directors are strongly encouraged to consult the Employee/Faculty Assistance Program or other consultant in addictionology for guidance in determining possible symptoms of chemical dependence and/or substance abuse as they relate to performance impairment.  The Employee/Faculty Assistance Program can also assist in the identification of appropriate treatment resources.

2.3.2 Every effort will be made to maintain the confidentiality of written documentation regarding a House Officer who voluntarily acknowledges him/her self for chemical dependence and/or substance abuse treatment.

2.4      Rehabilitation will be supervised by the Department Chairperson and/or Residency Program Director.  If not directly supervising the rehabilitation, the Department Chairperson will be kept informed by the Program Director.  Written reports on treatment progress must be provided to the Department Chairperson/Program Director by the treating facility/provider.

2.5      Re-integration into the Training Program will be at the discretion of the department Chairperson after consultation with the Program Director and appropriate chemical dependence professionals.  The Medical College of Georgia reserves the right to independently evaluate each individual to determine if that person is ready for re-integration.

2.6      Although the Medical College of Georgia and MCG Health, Inc. is committed to appropriate assistance for House Officers with chemical dependence and/or substance abuse, untreated or relapsing dependence is judged to be incompatible with safe clinical performance.  Termination through due process may result if a House Officer fails to comply with a rehabilitation program or meet goals as outlined by the department Chairperson or Program Director.

2.7.    When a House Officer voluntarily seeks treatment for chemical dependence/substance abuse, every effort will be made by the Institution to protect the confidentiality of such matters.  House Officers who come forward voluntarily will be given assistance consistent with state law.  House Officers who have violated laws relating to chemical/substance abuse may face prosecution, adverse actions by professional licensing boards and other negative consequences.

2.8   The Departmental Chairperson or Program Director who becomes aware of substance abuse/chemical dependence with a House Officer must take appropriate action to correct the situation.  All faculty or hospital staff that is aware of the chemical dependency/substance abuse problem in a House Officer is under obligation to report this House Officer to the appropriate Departmental Chairperson, Graduate Medical Education Office and Risk Management.

2.9 Nothing in this policy shall prevent the Medical College of Georgia from taking disciplinary action against a House Officer, where appropriate.

Effective Date: 7/05 Revision/Review Date: 12/05 /10/07

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Holly Walp,

October 24, 2007