​Six workers at a North Carolina medical center claim they did not know that the cookies and muffins they ate at work had marijuana in them, according to an April 4, 2017, article in the Statesville Record & Landmark. Hospital officials said patient care was not compromised, but an April 5, 2017, CNN report published on WWLP.com quoted local residents who questioned whether the staff members interacted with patients before realizing they had ingested marijuana and whether the ingestion was even accidental. The baked goods had been made by a family member of one of the workers, the article said, and were not intended to be brought in for the hospital staff. A hospital spokesperson said a department director recognized the situation and took action to treat the affected employees and alert authorities.

HRC Recommends: Organizations should review their policies on accepting outside food and homemade baked goods. Although in most situations, those who bake foods for healthcare workers wish to express gratitude, there are situations in which devious motives may be at play. Policies regarding identification and management of substance abuse by employees should be reviewed to ensure the safety of patients whom these employees may be caring for, as well as that of the employees.