Those who work in healthcare settings have the obligation and privilege to maintain the highest safety standards possible for their patients. It is well documented that up to 10% of nurses, as well as other healthcare providers, will suffer from addiction of some sort during their career¹. Addiction and impairment are often associated with diversion of controlled substances. This is mainly due to the availability of controlled drugs in healthcare settings and opportunities for them to be diverted. To combat this issue, healthcare facilities tend to focus on preventing and detecting drug diversion, with education not being a top priority. Often when education is provided the objectives are focused on what happened and what not to do. Rather than the focus being on prior diversion events and unacceptable practices, drug diversion education must be proactive and tailored for all employees. A proactive approach to diversion prevention and detection is crucial to the success of an education program.

Healthcare providers are compassionate and caring individuals who are in tune to the needs of their patients, but they are not always in tune to the signs and symptoms of addiction or diversion regarding their peers. Studies show that early detection and intervention are the building blocks of a successful recovery². Providing drug diversion education and awareness to those in leadership and the front lines is the first step to early intervention, as well as maintaining a safe environment for patients and healthcare providers.

Who needs to know about diversion/impairment? What do they need to know about diversion? These are the two primary questions asked when developing an education plan.

Who needs to know about drug diversion/impairment?

The answer is everyone – clinical and non-clinical. It is important that all are aware that this is a priority for your facility.

What does the team need to know about drug diversion/impairment?

• Signs and symptoms
• How to report suspicious activity or behaviors
  • Chain of command or anonymously
• What they can do to minimize opportunity
  • Follow standards and policies
• Drug Diversion Team roles and responsibilities
• The health and wellness resources available to employees

Signs and Symptoms of Impairment:

Signs of Diversion

A quality drug diversion prevention and detection program should include education highlighting substance use disorder as a disease, rather than portraying the individual diverting in a negative manner. Drug diversion education should empower and encourage employees to report suspicious behavior, which may lead to earlier detection and a more favorable recovery. Contact the Trexin healthcare advisory team to assist with your diversion education program needs.

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References

1. Drug Diversion: Education is key to prevention and detection | Visante (visanteinc.com)
2. Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances (ashp.org)