Definition

The Medical Staff at the University of South Carolina is committed to maintaining and promoting the wellness of its medical staff colleagues through the Medical Staff Wellness Program . MUSC has been involved for many years in identifying physician wellness issue. Caregiver I impairment is defined as the inability to conduct the practice of medicine/surgery perform the responsibilities of a member of the medical staff with reasonable skill and safety due to any emotional, physical, or psychiatric (usually because of alcoholism and other addictions). c ondition or as a result of alcohol or drug abuse. This is a definition, which is still useful although it has been broadened to encompass a number of other dysfunctional or inappropriate behaviors as well as the substance use disorders.

Organization

The governing body of the Medical University of South Carolina –through its Board of Directors, Medical Executive Committee and Executive Director , offers supervises assistance the Medical Staff Wellness Program to programs for impaired members of the medical staff physicians having problems which impair their ability to provide care.

Mission

The primary dual purpose of this policy the Medical Staff Wellness Program is the protection of to identify impaired members of the Medical Staff at the first opportunity in order to protect the public patients from potential harm by the impaired provider harm and to provide rehabilitation services for the impaired provider. . At the same time, maximal effort is made to ensure rehabilitation of the provider. Impaired providers receive immediate assistance to transfer their patient care responsibilities to colleagues and to undergo referral for appropriate evaluation and care. The Medical Center provides the impaired provider with support and assistance as they undergo treatment, counseling, remedial training or other recommended interventions. The immediate goal is to encourage the presumed-impaired provider to suspend practice activities and undergo a thorough assessment at an appropriately-staffed facility, then to follow the resultant recommendations (treatment, counseling, remedial training, etc.) prior to resuming practice. Throughout this process, the organization offers support and advocacy to the provider.

Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - The EAP provides mission is to provide a worksite-based a n effective and confidential on-campus program to assist in the identification and resolution identify and resolve of physicians and employees’ Medical Staff problems which that may adversely affect their job professional performance and their quality of life. 792-2848

Recovering Professional Program -The RPP is a confidential referral and monitoring program designed for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and podiatrists in South Carolina who are experiencing problems related to alcohol and/or other drug abuse or dependence problem, or from a dual diagnosis of addiction and mental illness. The program ensures that impaired professionals receive the help they need at the earliest point possible. 1-877-349-2094