Re: Patients who smell of alcohol

March 16, 2011

You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

when an exercise is too strenuous.

I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You need

to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

them. Do not put yourself at risk.

Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

wind be ever at your back.

J. Aube, PT

Physical Therapist

Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of Libolt, Lori F.

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance

I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt@...

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

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NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 16, 2011

You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

when an exercise is too strenuous.

I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You need

to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

them. Do not put yourself at risk.

Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

wind be ever at your back.

J. Aube, PT

Physical Therapist

Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of Libolt, Lori F.

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance

I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt@...

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 16, 2011

You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

when an exercise is too strenuous.

I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You need

to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

them. Do not put yourself at risk.

Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

wind be ever at your back.

J. Aube, PT

Physical Therapist

Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of Libolt, Lori F.

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance

I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt@...

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 16, 2011

PT in Motion (then PT Magazine) did an article on this in May 2006

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2006/5/LiabilityAwaress/ You'll need your

APTA login information to access. I assign it to my students as one of the

articles we read on risk management in the clinic.

Laurie A. Walsh, PT, JD, MS

Daemen College

4380 Main St.

Amherst, NY 14226

>

> You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

> alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

> impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

> ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

> when an exercise is too strenuous.

>

> I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You

> need

> to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

> them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

> Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

> them. Do not put yourself at risk.

>

> Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

> St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

> wind be ever at your back.

>

> J. Aube, PT

>

> Physical Therapist

>

> Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

>

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

> Behalf

> Of Libolt, Lori F.

> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

>

> Hello everyone,

> So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

> completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated

> occurance

> I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

> the patient? etc..

>

> Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

> ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

> (Bellingham)

> (Lynden)

> (fax)

> lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:

> lflibolt@...

> <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

>

> mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

>

> and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

> review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

> intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy

> all

>

> copies of the original message.

> ----------------------------------------------------------

>

March 16, 2011

PT in Motion (then PT Magazine) did an article on this in May 2006

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2006/5/LiabilityAwaress/ You'll need your

APTA login information to access. I assign it to my students as one of the

articles we read on risk management in the clinic.

Laurie A. Walsh, PT, JD, MS

Daemen College

4380 Main St.

Amherst, NY 14226

>

> You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

> alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

> impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

> ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

> when an exercise is too strenuous.

>

> I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You

> need

> to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

> them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

> Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

> them. Do not put yourself at risk.

>

> Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

> St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

> wind be ever at your back.

>

> J. Aube, PT

>

> Physical Therapist

>

> Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

>

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

> Behalf

> Of Libolt, Lori F.

> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

>

> Hello everyone,

> So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

> completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated

> occurance

> I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

> the patient? etc..

>

> Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

> ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

> (Bellingham)

> (Lynden)

> (fax)

> lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:

> lflibolt@...

> <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

>

> mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

>

> and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

> review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

> intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy

> all

>

> copies of the original message.

> ----------------------------------------------------------

>

March 16, 2011

PT in Motion (then PT Magazine) did an article on this in May 2006

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/2006/5/LiabilityAwaress/ You'll need your

APTA login information to access. I assign it to my students as one of the

articles we read on risk management in the clinic.

Laurie A. Walsh, PT, JD, MS

Daemen College

4380 Main St.

Amherst, NY 14226

>

> You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

> alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

> impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

> ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

> when an exercise is too strenuous.

>

> I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You

> need

> to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

> them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

> Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

> them. Do not put yourself at risk.

>

> Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

> St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

> wind be ever at your back.

>

> J. Aube, PT

>

> Physical Therapist

>

> Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

>

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

> Behalf

> Of Libolt, Lori F.

> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

>

> Hello everyone,

> So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

> completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated

> occurance

> I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

> the patient? etc..

>

> Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

> ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

> (Bellingham)

> (Lynden)

> (fax)

> lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:

> lflibolt@...

> <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

>

> mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

>

> and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

> review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

> intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy

> all

>

> copies of the original message.

> ----------------------------------------------------------

>

March 17, 2011

Hi Lori,

Â Â Â Â We have discussed thisÂ within our departments asÂ well and I have

sought

guidance from our risk management folks. WeÂ focus on behavior. The issue with

theÂ " smell " of alcohol is that there are medications that have a side effect of

an alcohol type smell on the breath. Therefore, you can't assume that just

because one smells of alcohol, they were drinking. If instead you focus

onÂ behavior and the patient is acting odd, showing signs of inebriation,

disruptiveÂ etc., thenÂ there is causeÂ askÂ the patient to leave. You have to

then

also consider allowingÂ the patient to drive if they are showing obvious signs

of

impairment. We are fortunate to have security here that can intervene and

suggest the patient take a cab etc.

Â

Mike Hampton PT, MPT

Outpatient Therapy Manager

PeaceHealth St. ph Medical Center

Bellingham, WA

Â

________________________________

To: " PTManager " <PTManager >

Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 5:39:31 PM

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Â

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00, completely

put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance I was curious

how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@...

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 2011

Hi Lori,

Â Â Â Â We have discussed thisÂ within our departments asÂ well and I have

sought

guidance from our risk management folks. WeÂ focus on behavior. The issue with

theÂ " smell " of alcohol is that there are medications that have a side effect of

an alcohol type smell on the breath. Therefore, you can't assume that just

because one smells of alcohol, they were drinking. If instead you focus

onÂ behavior and the patient is acting odd, showing signs of inebriation,

disruptiveÂ etc., thenÂ there is causeÂ askÂ the patient to leave. You have to

then

also consider allowingÂ the patient to drive if they are showing obvious signs

of

impairment. We are fortunate to have security here that can intervene and

suggest the patient take a cab etc.

Â

Mike Hampton PT, MPT

Outpatient Therapy Manager

PeaceHealth St. ph Medical Center

Bellingham, WA

Â

________________________________

To: " PTManager " <PTManager >

Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 5:39:31 PM

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Â

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00, completely

put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance I was curious

how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@...

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 2011

Hi Lori,

Â Â Â Â We have discussed thisÂ within our departments asÂ well and I have

sought

guidance from our risk management folks. WeÂ focus on behavior. The issue with

theÂ " smell " of alcohol is that there are medications that have a side effect of

an alcohol type smell on the breath. Therefore, you can't assume that just

because one smells of alcohol, they were drinking. If instead you focus

onÂ behavior and the patient is acting odd, showing signs of inebriation,

disruptiveÂ etc., thenÂ there is causeÂ askÂ the patient to leave. You have to

then

also consider allowingÂ the patient to drive if they are showing obvious signs

of

impairment. We are fortunate to have security here that can intervene and

suggest the patient take a cab etc.

Â

Mike Hampton PT, MPT

Outpatient Therapy Manager

PeaceHealth St. ph Medical Center

Bellingham, WA

Â

________________________________

To: " PTManager " <PTManager >

Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 5:39:31 PM

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Â

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00, completely

put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance I was curious

how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@...

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 2011

,

Thanks for the input! I think it is often too easy just to let it go . I

assume that if they are dressed for work and it's 8:00 in the morning that this

is their typical routine, a functional alcoholic, and I am not confident that

saying something would change anything. You have a good point though, safety is

always a concern both in the clinic and when they leave the clinic. With your

experience do you lose patients after you have talked with them?

Happy St. 's Day!! I did make green cookies for work and hung up

balloons! No green beer : (

Lori

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Aube

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 5:59 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: RE: Patients who smell of alcohol

You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

when an exercise is too strenuous.

I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You need

to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

them. Do not put yourself at risk.

Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

wind be ever at your back.

J. Aube, PT

Physical Therapist

Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

From: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf

Of Libolt, Lori F.

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

To: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance

I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@...<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org>

<mailto:lflibolt@...<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org>

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 2011

,

Thanks for the input! I think it is often too easy just to let it go . I

assume that if they are dressed for work and it's 8:00 in the morning that this

is their typical routine, a functional alcoholic, and I am not confident that

saying something would change anything. You have a good point though, safety is

always a concern both in the clinic and when they leave the clinic. With your

experience do you lose patients after you have talked with them?

Happy St. 's Day!! I did make green cookies for work and hung up

balloons! No green beer : (

Lori

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Aube

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 5:59 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: RE: Patients who smell of alcohol

You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

when an exercise is too strenuous.

I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You need

to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

them. Do not put yourself at risk.

Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

wind be ever at your back.

J. Aube, PT

Physical Therapist

Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

From: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf

Of Libolt, Lori F.

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

To: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance

I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@...<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org>

<mailto:lflibolt@...<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org>

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 2011

,

Thanks for the input! I think it is often too easy just to let it go . I

assume that if they are dressed for work and it's 8:00 in the morning that this

is their typical routine, a functional alcoholic, and I am not confident that

saying something would change anything. You have a good point though, safety is

always a concern both in the clinic and when they leave the clinic. With your

experience do you lose patients after you have talked with them?

Happy St. 's Day!! I did make green cookies for work and hung up

balloons! No green beer : (

Lori

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Aube

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 5:59 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: RE: Patients who smell of alcohol

You need to communicate to the patient this is not acceptable. Their use of

alcohol may put them at risk for injury in your clinic. They may fall, have

impaired sensation or attention and not feel too much heat from an

ultrasound, be able to communicate with you appropriately, or may not feel

when an exercise is too strenuous.

I have had several instances of patients showing up after drinking. You need

to make it clear to them that you want to help them, but you cannot help

them if they are impaired. Even though may not feel they are impaired.

Make it clear showing up under the influence is unacceptable. Do not enable

them. Do not put yourself at risk.

Was this planned or coincidental that you sent this question on the eve of

St. 's Day? go Bragh!! Top of the morning to you. May the

wind be ever at your back.

J. Aube, PT

Physical Therapist

Rehab Professionals of Cleveland, Inc.

From: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf

Of Libolt, Lori F.

Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 8:40 PM

To: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00,

completely put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance

I was curious how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to

the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@...<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org>

<mailto:lflibolt@...<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org>

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)

and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized

review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the

intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all

copies of the original message.

----------------------------------------------------------

March 17, 2011

Hi Lori,

Good responses so far which I agree with. I only wanted to add that make sure

you have a policy to handle the behavioral issues. Should this person decide to

take legal action against you, it helps to show a policy and training of staff

and that you were just following your clinic policy. All clinics should have a

policy about requesting a patient, staff or visitor to leave the premises and

under what conditions. It would be common sense as has been suggested to offer

calling a cab and even call the cab company so there is a record that you did.

Once outside the clinic, the person bears the responsibility for themselves.

M. Howell, P.T., M.P.T.

Howell Physical Therapy

Eagle, Idaho

thowell@...

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reply email.

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Mike Hampton

Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 9:42 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hi Lori,

We have discussed this within our departments as well and I have sought

guidance from our risk management folks. We focus on behavior. The issue with

the " smell " of alcohol is that there are medications that have a side effect of

an alcohol type smell on the breath. Therefore, you can't assume that just

because one smells of alcohol, they were drinking. If instead you focus

on behavior and the patient is acting odd, showing signs of inebriation,

disruptive etc., then there is cause ask the patient to leave. You have to then

also consider allowing the patient to drive if they are showing obvious signs of

impairment. We are fortunate to have security here that can intervene and

suggest the patient take a cab etc.

Mike Hampton PT, MPT

Outpatient Therapy Manager

PeaceHealth St. ph Medical Center

Bellingham, WA

________________________________

From: " Libolt, Lori F. " <lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

To: " PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com> "

Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 5:39:31 PM

Subject: Patients who smell of alcohol

Hello everyone,

So I know we have all encountered the patient who arrives at 8:00, completely

put together, yet smells of alcohol. With this repeated occurance I was curious

how people deal with this. Do you ignore it? Say something to the patient? etc..

Lori Libolt, OTR/L,CHT

ReBound OT, PT, Hand Therapies

(Bellingham)

(Lynden)

(fax)

lflibolt@... <mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> <mailto:lflibolt@...

<mailto:lflibolt%40hinet.org> >

mailgate.hinet.org made the following annotations

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March 17, 2011