Mandatory Reporting of Inability to Practice With Reasonable Skill and Safety
Connecticut General Statutes Section 19a-12e includes new requirements regarding mandatory reporting of impairment for the following health professionals effective October 1, 2015. A link to the full statute can be found here.
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Acupuncturist
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Optician
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
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Optometrist
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Athletic Trainer
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Master's Level Social Worker
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Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
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Naturopathic Physician
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Chiropractor
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Paramedic
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Dental Hygienist
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Physical Therapist
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Dentist
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Physical Therapist Assistant
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Dietitian/Nutritionist
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Physician Assistant
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Embalmer
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Physician/Surgeon
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Funeral Director
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Physician/Surgeon-DO
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Hearing Instrument Specialist
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Podiatrist
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Homeopathic Physician
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Professional Counselor
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Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
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Provisional Faculty Dentist
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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Psychologist
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Licensed Nurse Midwife
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Radiographer
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Licensed Practical Nurse
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Registered Nurse
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Marital and Family Therapist
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Respiratory Care Practitioner
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Massage Therapist
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Speech and Language Pathologist
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Occupational Therapist
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Veterinarian
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Occupational Therapist Assistant
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Medical Residents
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Note: Concerns related to drug diversion or inappropriate prescribing of controlled substances should be reported to both the Department of Public Health and the Department of Consumer Protection, Drug Control Division. The website for the Department of Consumer Protection is www.ct.gov/dcp
Effective October 1, 2015, any health care professional or hospital shall file a petition if that hospital or health care professional has any information that appears to show that a health care professional is, or may be, unable to practice his or her profession with reasonable skill or safety for any of the following reasons:
- Physical illness or loss of motor skill, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process;
- Abuse or excessive use of drugs, including alcohol, narcotics or chemicals;
- Illegal, incompetent or negligent conduct in the practice of the profession of the health care professional;
- Possession, use, prescription for use or distribution of controlled substances or legend drugs, except for therapeutic or other medically proper purposes;
- Misrepresentation or concealment of a material fact in the obtaining or reinstatement of a license to practice the profession of the health care professional; or
- Violation of any provision of the chapter of the general statutes under which the health care professional is licensed or any regulation established under such chapter.
How does a health care practitioner of hospital fulfill this mandate?
- This mandate can be fulfilled by referring the health care practitioner to the HAVEN Program. More information about the HAVEN program can be found here.
- HAVEN is a confidential assistance program for health care professionals licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health who may be suffering from physical or mental illness, emotional disorder or chemical dependency.
- This mandate can also be fulfilled by filing a petition with the Connecticut Department of Public Health. A printable form and additional instructions can be found here.