While certainly possible, a media suggestion of a single very bad actor( with other issues) only serves to move the beam of scrutiny away from the institution and it’s practices and oversight, which would include monitoring of employees health, it provides cover. Sales representatives that visit clinical areas in most/all hospitals must provide drug test results, and have up to date immunizations.
This always blows me away when I view the crowd at visiting time, at any hospital.
Cath labs typically are staffed by a small group of employees, much smaller than an average ICU in a community hospital.
A Cath lab the size of Exeter’s would employ about 8 -12 people. If they were doing interventions(emergency 24-7) that count might double.
Exeter was one of the pioneers doing catheterization without also having a heart program and many community hospitals throughout the Northeast followed suit. Exeter most likely did not earn this distinction without a good program and sound policies, though slippage can occur in any organization.
These community facilities are still regulated on the type of intervention they can schedule.
Only an RN can push drugs, and the employment of CV techs is a subject for discussion in the health care community and a no no. Some facilities might take the position that a tech can administer drugs, since a RN was in the unit.
It is unlikely with such a small staff that an employee abusing drugs is the culprit.
Mike
The Exeter Town Crier 