Are ER Docs and nurses required to report use of illegal drugs to cops?

Question

Hey! If you are ill and go to the ER room, and are under the influence of drugs, do the doctors or nurses have any obligation to report your drug use to the police department? Is it their choice? Does anyone know? Thanks!

Answer 1

I am an ER nurse and the answer to your question is no they do not have any legal obligation to report your drug use.



However, depending on the circumstances of the situation they might decide to tell them. Usually with cases like this it is because another crime occurred and they are suspicious that you may have also been involved with that crime.

Answer 2

They have to report all kinds of stuff, not just gun shot wounds. They report certain STDs, suspected abuse, and some drug use, especially if you have paraphernalia on your person or are a minor or both. So if someone goes into the ER totally cracked out with there kids in tow they will get reported, for multiple reasons. If you are on something and have to be brought in by ambulance the police where probably at the scene where you were picked up but that will also get reported. How soon it gets reported is a completely different issue.

Answer 3

It all depends on the situation, what drugs you used, where you live and where you receive medical attention. It also depends on the situation. Were you involved in an accident; was someone seriously injured or deceased ? Accidents, major injury or death changes everything. We have to take a sobriety test, they get toxicology reports from the hospital. Even if the hospital didn't report it that doesn't prevent law enforcement from requesting it.

Answer 4

I'm going to say no, as I found Texas law does not require doc's to report drug abuse of pregnant women. I would believe that it would fall under the HIPPA law securing the patients rights to privacy. However I know doc's report abuse so I am not sure where that line is drawn exactly. I would suggest checking local and state laws.

Answer 5

I think the answer is no. Its called patient confidentiality. Most of the doctors I know would think something is wrong with you if you didn't have some kind of drug in your system. They wouldn't report you if they were supposed to.

Answer 6

No, if they did that they would not have time to do anything else..I believe they only have to report gunshot wounds.