Section 1300.110  Mandatory Reporting of Impaired Licensees

a)         Any nurse who is an administrator or officer in any hospital, nursing home, other health care agency or facility, or nurse agency and has knowledge of any action or condition which reasonably indicates that a licensee under the Act:

1)         is impaired due to the use of alcohol or mood altering drugs to the extent that the impairment adversely affects the licensee'sprofessional performance; or

2)         unlawfully possesses, uses, distributes or converts mood altering drugs (Section 70-10(a) of the Act) shall report the individual to the Division or designee of the Division unless the licensee participates in a course of remedial professional counseling or medical treatment for substance abuse.

b)         The administrator need not report the licensee in question so long as the nurse actively pursues treatment under monitoring by the administrator or officer or by the hospital, nursing home, health care agency or facility, or nurse agency and the licensee continues to be employed by that hospital, nursing home, health care agency or facility, or nurse agency.

c)         However, if the licensee fails to comply with treatment or leaves employment of the institution for any reason, the administrator shall report the licensee to the Division.

d)         Notwithstanding any other Section or provisions of the Nurse Practice Act, if the Division verifies habitual intoxication or drug addiction that adversely affects professional performance or the unlawful possession, use, distribution or conversion of habit forming drugs by the reported licensee, the Division may seek to discipline the licensee pursuant to Section 70-5 of the Act.

(Source:  Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 15764, effective November 24, 2015)