The Elephant In The Room

There isn't week that goes by that I don't come across stories, wherein there has been a lapse of character and someone has embezzled from an organization, submitted false claims, pilfered drugs or sexually assaulted either a patient or co-worker.

It is not an occasional event, it's weekly and to me frustrating watching EMS beat down from the inside. It's bad enough dealing with the outside influences.

Now I realize that the FBI and CIA do background checks on an ongoing basis and every once in a while someone slips through. Case in point, Robert Hannsen.

Since I'm reading the news stories on line, often across the country from where they originate, I would expect the local coverage, especially in the smaller communities plays the event for all that its worth.  Considering that we as a society are commercialized to the extreme, that means we are influenced by lizards, cavemen and cartoon characters for our insurance needs. One notch up from tigers, toucans, leprechauns, frogs and sea captains who spoke to us on Saturday morning cartoons about breakfast nutrition when we were younger.

The need for background checks, drug screening, follow-up on references and ongoing evaluations is paramount.

We already have organizations that certify and license personnel. What about including the background check in the process? The individual may be trained to perform the necessary skills, but if they don't have the qualities of character they really aren't fit to engage in patient care or represent any agency, who when called, sends assistance when they are the most vulnerable. Be it paid or volunteer. We can't be that desperate to have drug addicts, child molesters, embezzlers and the likes. Or is that the best we can do on the wages we pay?

My father use to tell me, "Never compromise your character. It's the only thing that's yours and will survive you long after your gone."

Yes, there's an elephant in the room and few see it. The problem is we all see the damage and havoc its causing.