Drug abuse in anesthesia training programs. A survey: 1970 through 1980
C. F. Ward, G. C. Ward and L. J. Saidman
Experience at our institution with drug dependence among anesthesia
residents, coupled with a lack of published data, prompted us to survey US
anesthesia training programs. Two hundred eighty-nine programs were
surveyed, 247 (85.5%) responded, and 184 (74%) of these programs had at
least one suspected incident of drug dependence to report. Three hundred
thirty-four confirmed persons were reported, including a substantial number
of instructors. Meperidine and fentanyl were the most frequently mentioned
drugs. Behavior changes were frequently noted by staff personnel, and in
general such changes led directly to detection. After confirmation of
abuse, the majority of impaired anesthetists were referred for psychiatric
care, with few in need of actual detoxification. Detailed follow-up was
available for about 40% of the total; 71 persons were offered a return to
their original place of employment, while 30 persons died of drug overdose.
Chemical impairment may be more common than usually thought in anesthesia,
perhaps in part because of drug availability.
