M A Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 9
5 Ways You Can Prevent Drug Diversion
The opioid crisis has made medication security more important than ever.
T
he opioid epi-
demic is fuel-
ing the growing
problem of drug diver-
sion in surgical facili-
ties and attempts to
access the controlled
substances can hap-
pen at any time, no
matter how safe your
medications might
seem or how trustwor-
thy your staff might
appear. Follow these
steps to ensure your
supplies remain in
secured locations
instead of ending up in
the wrong hands.
Trust, but verify
Always collect
sufficient detail about
drug transactions. Automated storage and dispensing cabinets are
optimal for securing and tracking the use of medications. A locked
closet where controlled drugs are "checked out" as needed makes
surveillance difficult, but not impossible. If that set-up is in use at
your facility, have staff members who pull controlled substances for
1
Safety
Kimberly New, JD, BSN, RN
• LISTEN AND LEARN Make it easy for staff to report suspect behavior or concerns
about your facility's medication handling practices.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
