Is reporting a drunk colleague mandated by ethics?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. It depends
• D. Only if patient safety is threatened

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that clinicians have an obligation to act when a colleague is impaired on the job to protect patients. When someone is drunk while caring for patients, that impairment creates a real risk of harm, and ethical principles require steps to prevent that harm. Protecting patient safety often means reporting the situation to a supervisor, risk management, or a physician health program, rather than ignoring it or hoping it will resolve on its own. This duty stands even as you balance concerns about confidentiality—patient safety takes priority and professional guidelines typically mandate action to address impairment.

In practice, the aim isn’t punishment but ensuring the colleague gets help and patients aren’t exposed to unsafe care. While the exact reporting mechanism and legal requirements can vary by jurisdiction and institution, the ethical expectation that reporting is required to safeguard patients is the prevailing standard.