But the longer someone is permitted to steal drugs, the greater the
potential consequences. Reporting your concerns is the first step
toward helping that person. When a coworker needs help, we owe it to
ourselves, our profession and to him to help him get it. Providers have
lost their lives because others chose not to get involved. Diversion
might cost patients their lives, too. Abuse or addiction supported by
drug diversion isn't a victimless crime.
• Patients. Our patients needlessly suffer if they don't get the med-
ications they need, or are given adulterated or contaminated drugs.
• Employers. Surgical facilities lose the revenue associated with pil-
fered drugs and may have to deal with poor performance on the part
of the diverter. They may also face civil liability for failing to recognize,
address or prevent drug diversion. If a health-care worker's illicit drug
use harms a patient, both the worker and the employer
are liable.
• Diverters. They can be infected by needles, unsanitary injection
techniques or by blood-to-blood transmissions from a patient. They
may expose themselves to felony criminal prosecution or civil mal-
practice actions. They could lose their professional licenses. They
may even overdose and die.
Be on the lookout
Does your facility have sys-
tems in place to guard
against theft and diversion
of controlled substances? It
had better, because as
diverters fall deeper into the
habit, they get more cre-
ative.
J U L Y 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 3
• SWITCH Percocet 5/325 (left) strongly resembles Tylenol.
