Most doctors and nurses that you meet will not struggle with alcohol addiction. They will be sober on the job, which won’t affect their performance.
However, it is important to note that the healthcare profession has one of the highest rates of alcohol use. Studies list nurses and healthcare professionals along with those in professions like construction, entertainment, real estate, and food and hospitality services – just to name a few.
Important statistics
First and foremost, one study noted “heavy alcohol consumption” in about 4% of healthcare workers. This was self-reported, and they were asked how much alcohol they had consumed in the last month. So it stands to reason that the consumption rates would be higher for the entire year.
Surgeons showed a particularly high level of alcohol use. A survey aimed at identifying dependence and alcohol abuse tendencies claimed that they were present in 15% of surgeons.
How this could cause healthcare problems
Alcohol use can sometimes cause problems in a medical center for a variety of reasons. A surgeon may not be able to operate properly or may make avoidable mistakes. A nurse may lose track of healthcare records or administer medication to the wrong patient. Common examples of medical malpractice – medication errors, wrong-site surgery, failure to diagnose, etc. – could just be linked to excessive alcohol use.
If you have suffered harm due to a doctor’s error, especially if you believe that alcohol may have been involved, then you need to know what legal options you have. You may deserve compensation for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering and much more.
