Propofol Abuse of the Medical Personnel in Operation Room in Korea

Lee, Soonae; Lee, Mi Soon; Kim, Young Ah; Ahn, Wonsik; Lee, Hyung Chul

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Propofol is a widely used anesthetic in anesthesia and sedation. Though it is not regulated under the controlled substance act, the public media broadcasted apprehensive programs about propofol abuse of laypersons. We attempted to determine whether the propofol is abused by the medical personnel working in the operation room in Korea.
METHODS
We surveyed the 95 delegates who sat in the back benches in the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists. The questionnaire included the job of the propofol abuser, the rehabilitation, drug abuse history, stressful condition, family history of drug abuse in medical personnel in operation room. Additional question was what is the adequate method to prevent propofol abuse.
RESULTS
Seventy two delegates among 95 candidates were responded. Seven of 72 responders answered that they knew 9 medical personnel who abused propofol in operation room. Four of them were anesthesiology residents, two were other departments' residents, one was a nurse in anesthesiology and the other two were unknown. Among nine subjects, two had tried to rehabilitate but failed, and all abusers quit working within 1 year. As for the prevention methods, 9 of 12 responders suggested that propofol should be controlled like other centrally acting anesthetics.
CONCLUSION
Although propofol has not been traditionally considered a drug of abuse, a few medical team members abuse it working in operation room. A stricter pharmacy control of propofol or controlled substance act for propofol should be needed to prevent abusing it and to protect medical team members.