Alternative to Discipline Alternative to Discipline Programs: The Florida Programs: The Florida Intervention Project Intervention Project Linda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CAP, CARN-AP Linda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CAP, CARN-AP Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer Florida Intervention Project Florida Intervention Project Presented for NCSBN-IRE Presented for NCSBN-IRE January 16, 2013 January 16, 2013
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Alternative to Discipline Programs: The Florida Intervention Project Linda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CAP, CARN-AP Chief Executive Officer Florida Intervention.
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Alternative to Discipline Alternative to Discipline Programs: The Florida Programs: The Florida Intervention ProjectIntervention Project
Linda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CAP, CARN-APLinda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CAP, CARN-APChief Executive OfficerChief Executive Officer
Presented for NCSBN-IREPresented for NCSBN-IRE January 16, 2013January 16, 2013
ObjectivesObjectives
Describe the history of alternative to Describe the history of alternative to discipline programs.discipline programs.
Identify key components of an Identify key components of an effective alternative to discipline effective alternative to discipline program.program.
Recognize the strengths and benefits Recognize the strengths and benefits of the Florida Intervention Project for of the Florida Intervention Project for Nurses.Nurses.
Multiple studies in the early 1980s
revealed that:
67% of nurses reported and/or disciplined 67% of nurses reported and/or disciplined by Boards of Nursing throughout the USA by Boards of Nursing throughout the USA were due to drug, alcohol or psychiatric were due to drug, alcohol or psychiatric
disorders.disorders.
Estimates of Incidence
6-10 % of nurses are thought to have substance abuse problems significant enough to impair practice at sometime in their career..
The Florida ExperienceThe Florida Experience
In the 1980’s the Florida Board of Nursing utilized In the 1980’s the Florida Board of Nursing utilized a “discipline only” model.a “discipline only” model.
The Board began to recognize substance related The Board began to recognize substance related cases were significant in number and recurring.cases were significant in number and recurring.
The only option available for the Board was to The only option available for the Board was to discipline and remove nurses from practice, discipline and remove nurses from practice, however, the Board recognized that often following however, the Board recognized that often following the nurse’s license reinstatement further problems the nurse’s license reinstatement further problems ensued.ensued.
Another concern at the time related to Another concern at the time related to evaluations evaluations presented by nurses during reinstatement presented by nurses during reinstatement hearings. The evaluation(s) presented often lacked hearings. The evaluation(s) presented often lacked sufficient uniformity in credentials, areas sufficient uniformity in credentials, areas addressed and quality.addressed and quality.
History of Alternative to History of Alternative to Discipline (ATD) Program EvolutionDiscipline (ATD) Program Evolution
ANA 1982 Resolution. Call to states to do something ANA 1982 Resolution. Call to states to do something different related to substance abuse among nurses.different related to substance abuse among nurses.
NCSBN - Set early guidelines for programs that assisted NCSBN - Set early guidelines for programs that assisted nurses with substance use problems nurses with substance use problems
AANA Wellness Committee- promoted education and AANA Wellness Committee- promoted education and peer assistance with CRNA’s.peer assistance with CRNA’s.
NOAP - Formed by early ATD program leaders as an NOAP - Formed by early ATD program leaders as an offshoot of a NCSBN committee.offshoot of a NCSBN committee.
IntNSA - Worked to expand the peer assistance model IntNSA - Worked to expand the peer assistance model and made efforts in education and research.and made efforts in education and research.
Legislation was passed in Florida on Legislation was passed in Florida on October 1, 1983 allowing a new avenue October 1, 1983 allowing a new avenue
for addressing impairment in health for addressing impairment in health practitioners.practitioners.
This new legislation altered Florida’s This new legislation altered Florida’s Mandatory Reporting LawMandatory Reporting Law
FS 464.018 (Nurse Practice Act)FS 464.018 (Nurse Practice Act)
(k) Failing to report to the department any person who the licensee knows is in violation of this part of the rules of the department or the Board; however, if however, if the licensee verifies that such person is actively the licensee verifies that such person is actively participating in a board-approved program for the participating in a board-approved program for the treatment of a physical or mental condition, the treatment of a physical or mental condition, the licensee is required to report such person only to an licensee is required to report such person only to an impaired professionals consultant.impaired professionals consultant.
An “alternative to discipline” (aka diversion) An “alternative to discipline” (aka diversion) system was now approved in Florida thus system was now approved in Florida thus providing a new option for employers, providing a new option for employers, treatment centers, nursing schools, and treatment centers, nursing schools, and nurses to refer and assist nurses who nurses to refer and assist nurses who demonstrated signs of impairment.demonstrated signs of impairment.
The Florida “Impaired Nurse Program” was The Florida “Impaired Nurse Program” was established in 1983 which later became the established in 1983 which later became the Florida Intervention Project for Nurses.Florida Intervention Project for Nurses.
Now there are two reporting mechanisms for impaired practitioners in Florida:
IPNIPN Department of Health (DOH), Department of Health (DOH),
the administrative the administrative investigative body of the FBONinvestigative body of the FBON
How do Alternative Programs How do Alternative Programs Protect the Public?Protect the Public?
Earlier Identification and Swifter InterventionEarlier Identification and Swifter Intervention
IPN Refrains the Nurse from Practice within 1-3 daysIPN Refrains the Nurse from Practice within 1-3 days (The disciplinary process on average is(The disciplinary process on average is 9-12 months 9-12 months
before action is taken)
Standardized, Comprehensive Fitness to Practice Standardized, Comprehensive Fitness to Practice EvaluationsEvaluations
Approved Providers and Treatment Programs Approved Providers and Treatment Programs
Alternative programs Alternative programs Protect the Public? (continued)Protect the Public? (continued)
Execution of IPN Advocacy ContractExecution of IPN Advocacy Contract Quarterly Progress EvaluationsQuarterly Progress Evaluations Structured Nurse Support GroupsStructured Nurse Support Groups Practice-setting ReportsPractice-setting Reports Relapse Prevention GroupsRelapse Prevention Groups Random Urine Drug Screens Random Urine Drug Screens
How does IPN Determine Fitness to Practice?
Criteria: Stability in recovery Support systems Problem-solving ability Cognitive functioning Judgment Ability to cope with stressful situations Decision-making ability in a crisis
When can a Nurse Return to PracticeWhen can a Nurse Return to Practice
Signed Advocacy Contract is receivedSigned Advocacy Contract is received Treatment is completed or the nurse is well engagedTreatment is completed or the nurse is well engaged Once practice restrictions are understood: no Once practice restrictions are understood: no
overtime, floating, multiple employers, agency, home overtime, floating, multiple employers, agency, home health, hospice employment.health, hospice employment.
When there is a narcotic When there is a narcotic restriction—we encourage a labor exchange buddy be secured.bor exchange buddy be secured.
Random UDS assignment is set up.Random UDS assignment is set up. A workplace monitor who can offer feedback on A workplace monitor who can offer feedback on
performance is established.performance is established. Engagement in weekly nurse support groupEngagement in weekly nurse support group Relapse prevention workbook is receivedRelapse prevention workbook is received
Indicators of Satisfactory Progress in Recovery and Safety to Practice
– Compliance with Advocacy ContractCompliance with Advocacy Contract– Negative Random Urine Drug ScreensNegative Random Urine Drug Screens– Consistent Attendance at Support/Monitoring Consistent Attendance at Support/Monitoring
- Nurse Support Group Facilitator- Nurse Support Group Facilitator
- Self-Report - Self-Report
Successful Completion
CRITERION:CRITERION: Fitness to practice establishedFitness to practice established Progress and stability in recovery validatedProgress and stability in recovery validated Record sealedRecord sealed
What happens when a nurse fails to comply with program conditions
of participation?
Should a nurse fail to satisfactorily progress, Should a nurse fail to satisfactorily progress, discontinue treatment, and/or fail to comply with discontinue treatment, and/or fail to comply with program stipulations, the IPN immediately program stipulations, the IPN immediately provides this information to the DOH to initiate provides this information to the DOH to initiate swift action to ensure the health, safety and swift action to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Florida. welfare of the citizens of Florida.
(Florida Statute 455)(Florida Statute 455)
What drives IPN policies and What drives IPN policies and procedures?procedures?
Established program evaluation Established program evaluation parameters and performance measures parameters and performance measures (ACCOUNTABILITY(ACCOUNTABILITY))
Components of an Effective ATD Program (continued)
Florida ChallengesFlorida Challenges
Thank you for ListeningThank you for Listening
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?
Linda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CARN-APLinda L. Smith, ARNP, MN, M.Div., CARN-APIntervention Project for Nurses (IPN)Intervention Project for Nurses (IPN)Po Box 49130Po Box 49130Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240-9130Jacksonville Beach, Florida [email protected]@ipnfl.org904-270-1620 x 118904-270-1620 x 118