Sep 2, 2014 | Health Care, Prescription Drug Abuse, Substance Free Workplace Blog |
If I were addicted to pills, I would work in home healthcare. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had this realization. There are many reasons that home healthcare is the perfect job for anybody with an addiction to prescription medication: Access to Prescription Medications: Most individuals who need homecare also need various types of medication. The individuals providing their care often have direct access to those medications. When a care provider takes the medication (either for their own use or to sell), it is called diversion. Vulnerable Population: The victims of drug diversion may not realize that their medications are being stolen or they may not be able to advocate for themselves. Lack of Supervision: Homecare providers generally lack direct supervision. Lots of “Traffic” in the Home: An individual receiving home health services typically has lots of different service providers coming in and out of their home: personal attendants, visiting nurses, hospice counselors, cleaning services, meal delivery, caseworkers, etc. When drug diversion is recognized, it is very difficult to determine who is responsible. Abundant Entry Level Work: Many homecare positions are entry level and may require little to no training. Additionally, most areas have a multitude of homecare providers to work for. If a provider gets caught by one company, she can simply move to a different one. Most types of homecare providers are not subject to any formal tracking system. If I Were a Home Healthcare Provider, I Would Protect my Clients from Prescription Diversion Any employer providing any type of homecare or home healthcare should take extra precautions to ensure the safety of...