Your co-intern arrives for shift visibly intoxicated. What is the most appropriate first step?

Your co-intern arrives for shift visibly intoxicated. What is the most appropriate first step?

• A. Patient safety is priority
• B. Maintain professional workplace, and health environment should not have intoxicated staff
• C. Discussion with co-intern in private and non-judgemental manner
• D. Point out they are intoxicated and not suitable for work, and encourage them to discuss with senior members about what should be done and that they should be accountable for their actions

Answer: (C)

The key idea is handling an impaired colleague with safety and professionalism in mind, starting with a private, non-judgemental conversation. Approaching the co-intern discreetly allows you to assess their current fitness for duty, offer support, and determine whether they can continue safely or need to be reassigned or supervised. This approach preserves dignity, reduces defensiveness, and creates a safe channel for them to disclose what they’re experiencing and to seek help, which is essential for both immediate safety and ongoing professional wellbeing. While patient safety is always crucial, you don’t want to rely on policy or confrontation as the first move; those steps can come after you’ve established the person’s status and needs. Publicly pointing out intoxication or instructing them to seek senior input can provoke embarrassment or resistance, which may hinder a productive recovery plan and jeopardize safety. By starting with a private, non-judgemental discussion, you address immediate concerns, gather necessary information, and set the stage for appropriate support and next steps.

The key idea is handling an impaired colleague with safety and professionalism in mind, starting with a private, non-judgemental conversation. Approaching the co-intern discreetly allows you to assess their current fitness for duty, offer support, and determine whether they can continue safely or need to be reassigned or supervised. This approach preserves dignity, reduces defensiveness, and creates a safe channel for them to disclose what they’re experiencing and to seek help, which is essential for both immediate safety and ongoing professional wellbeing.

While patient safety is always crucial, you don’t want to rely on policy or confrontation as the first move; those steps can come after you’ve established the person’s status and needs. Publicly pointing out intoxication or instructing them to seek senior input can provoke embarrassment or resistance, which may hinder a productive recovery plan and jeopardize safety. By starting with a private, non-judgemental discussion, you address immediate concerns, gather necessary information, and set the stage for appropriate support and next steps.