* EC: Averting Drug Diversion: How to recognize and prevent medication theft by staff (PDF/QV) [REF: MD, Phrm/P&T, RN] EC News, August 2015, Vol 18, #8, Pg 1 JCe1501_B4

As indicated in the subtitle, the article focuses on drug diversion/theft by the hospital’s staff. Although reliable incident numbers are hard to obtain the article comments on:

• The diverters – primarily clinical staff
• The motivation  – mostly for re-selling/profit (smaller % for personal use)
• Most diverted drugs/meds – “opioids… antiretrovirals… performance-enhancing… and non-opioid psychotropics”
• Diversion risk points -pharmacies and patient care units
• Common diversion tactics – diluting, substituting and/or administering partial dosages,

The article also provides 7 warning signs for staff who may be involved in diversion activity (e.g., frequently/regularly offering to medicate other nurses patients or to care for patients who utilize drugs with high abuse potential) It concludes with 7 key components for an effective program to identify and reduce the rate of diversion.
Tip1: Review the full list of warning signs to heighten your awareness.
Tip2: Make it clear during initial hiring and annual trainings that your facility has a zero-tolerance policy for diversion offenders (and make sure you do).