Substance Abuse

• NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL
  GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
  POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
  TITLE: SUBSTANCE ABUSE

POLICY & PURPOSE:

It is the policy of New York Presbyterian Hospital to maintain a drug and alcohol free work environment for the benefit and safety of employees and of patients with whose care we are entrusted. The Hospital recognizes that substance abuse is a national problem and that our residents are not exempt from misuse or abuse of alcohol and chemical substances, illegal or prescribed.

This policy is consistent with the Hospital's commitment to provide excellent patient care. Therefore, substance abuse will not be tolerated.

Alcoholism and drug addiction are illnesses and early identification and treatment are crucial to recovery. The Hospital will train Program Directors to be aware of issues relating to substance abuse, although it is ultimately the individual resident's responsibility to seek and participate in counseling or treatment services. Such participation will not protect residents from corrective action, up to and including termination, resulting from failure to comply with this policy and all other policies of New York Presbyterian Hospital and GME.

The Hospital maintains an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide counseling and referral services for substance abuse. (See Hospital Policy #608, Employee Assistance Program) Efforts will be made to accommodate employees who voluntarily seek counseling, treatment or recovery services through the EAP or other community resources, such as the Committee for Physician Health.

Program Directors are expected to be thoroughly knowledgeable regarding this and related policies, and to observe and document resident behavior that is inconsistent, or potentially inconsistent, with this policy. In cases where performance problems are documented, Program Directors should consult with the GME Office.

Approved by GMEC: November 2009
Approved by The Medical Board: May 2010