Drug Uses And Surgery

[jcharlie85]

I was wondering ...I have a friend thats having surgery for a hernia and she's nervous and wants to tell the truth about her drug use so shes safe during surgery .She was wondering how safe it is to tell her surgeon and the anastheologist about her drug use.She has kids and was wondering if they will contact children services or will the police be involved.?

[bednobs]

what drugs are you talking of?

[bhg481]

Medical records are supposed to be confidential, so the doctors aren't allowed to tell the police anything, even if they're asked.
The real question is "How safe is it NOT to tell her surgeon that she's on drugs"

[woofgang]

oh that's a difficult one...I really think it depends on what the home circs are and what the drugs are.....I mean I doubt if its the case but if they think that there are children at genuine risk.....by which I mean eg Mum shooting up in front of the kids...kids filthy and starving....mum funding her habit by pleasuring men in front of the kids and so on..... then yes I am afraid they do have a duty to tell child protection...if its the odd joint well she should be ok telling them....and on a sliding scale in between. I really think its dangerous not to be honest though....they may tell her to lay off the drugs for a period before they will operate for safety’s sake.

[woofgang]

bhg, NHS staff have an absolute duty to report certain breaches of the law and also abuse vulnerable people (adults or children) at risk. The former to the police, the latter to Social Services. If its possible they should discuss that duty with the person they are going to report but if they consider that it would be dangerous to themselves or to others to do so then they can keep quiet. I am thinking of such serious issues as a patient who kept a loaded shotgun on the dining room table, even while his grandchildren were there, and a son who beat and starved his mother.

[ChillDoubt]

Your friend need not worry, NHS staff won't contact social services etc unless it comes to light that the children are at risk.
She MUST however inform the anaesthetist of any drugs, opioids etc that she currently takes as this can and undoubtedly will affect any prescription and her pain relief/management post operatively.

[jcharlie85]

Thanks for replying.. yes very true..I wonder about children services.. she had done some crack and coke in her past on and off for a few yrs stopped that about 8 mo ago..then about a month ago she tried meth once. Pot and acid in her younger yrs..

[Peter Pedant]

well done Chilldo

yes she should tell the anaesthetist about this
( actually laying off the droogs in the immediate run up to the operation may not be a bad idea )

she should add that she is only telling so that the anesthetist can adjust and take into account the drug use and prescribe sensible post operative pain relief.

presumably he or she is not gonna stagger into hospital completely out of her mind like that Amy Winehouse did into the police station once.....

oh sorry latest post says all this is in the past

I mean honestly if she hasnt taken anything since 1 Au 16 then it would be OK. If she has done intravenous drugs at all she needs a Hep B test - BUT all the medical personnel are vaccinated against that now


BA for chilldo as far as I am concerned

[jcharlie85]

Lol..no she not like out of control..She been clean a mo today...she does stupid things when she drinks..so with her being clean a mo I wouldn't think they would contact anyone?also her kids are older kids in High school.

[jcharlie85]

Might I add is was only a few hits...but i guess it don't matter really.

[bednobs]

if she is not using drugs at the moment, no need to tell the anaesthetist

[jcharlie85]

Hello everyone..just so everyone knows the out come..she went in and talked to her dr.and told him the truth..he was very understanding as if it was no big deal..everything is keep between the two. I guess they deal with this sort a thing a lot..thanks for the answers.

[murraymints]

Best to let everyone know...