How do you tell if a nurse is diverting drugs?

Diversion Detection

1. Observation of unusual behavior by colleagues.
2. Reports of items, such as sharps containers, being out of place.
3. Large numbers of rejected verbal orders.
4. Complaints of unrelieved pain by patients.

What is drug diversion in nursing?

Drug diversion occurs when medication is redirected from its intended destination for personal use, sale, or distribution to others. It includes drug theft, use, or tampering (adulteration or substitution). Drug diversion is a felony that can result in a nurse’s criminal prosecution and loss of license.

What is accused of diversion?

Drug diversion is defined as the misappropriation of prescription medication without legal authorization. Drug diversion allegations are very serious and can lead to criminal charges if state or federal authorities are contacted.

What percentage of nurses divert drugs?

Diversion expert and author Kimberly New also says estimates of diversion “vary widely,” but her research indicates that anywhere from 6% to 20% of nurses are involved in drug diversion.

Do nurses steal drugs?

There is rising concern that medical professionals are stealing powerful opioid pain medications meant for their patients. When Kristin Waite-Labott, a nurse in Wisconsin, began stealing fentanyl and morphine from her hospital’s medical supply cabinets, she found it was relatively easy to cover her tracks.

What are the signs of drug diversion?

Medication diversion is all too common and can be difficult to spot, but look for these signs:

• Strange stories. Be wary of new patients with stories that don’t seem quite right.
• Reluctance to cooperate.
• Unusually high (or low) understanding of medications.
• Strange symptoms.
• Specific drug requests.

How do diversion programs work?

How Diversion Works. Diversion is a program that has been created by the state legislature and signed into law. It identifies crimes and offender characteristics that will enable the defendant to enter the program. Defendants typically pay for their diversion programs with a fee to the court, treatment center, or both.

How can you stop drug diversion?

1. Provide thorough care. Diversion prevention begins with consistent and thorough care for every patient complaining of pain.
2. Use patient medication agreements.
3. Protect your prescriptions.
4. Work with local pharmacists.
5. Involve your staff.
6. Play by the rules.
7. Upholding the covenant.

What happens if rn is accused of diverting medication?

They only have to show that you were a tad bit sloppy. For a RN accused of diverting medication, there are 2 options when it comes to the BRN. 1.) you voluntarily enter the Diversion or Intervention Program 2.) the BRN launches its own investigation and imposes disciplinary action accordingly.

What are the dangers of drug diversion in nursing?

Drug diversion and addiction are serious and sometimes uncomfortable situations for nurse leaders to address. Diversion can jeopardize patient care and safety, and leave healthcare organizations open to legal issues, financial loss, and damage to their reputations.

Who is responsible for the diversion of medication?

The second is the Board of Registered Nursing and the third is the DEA or District Attorney in the nurse’s jurisdiction. The employer, BRN and Criminal courts are all able to take separate action for diversion of medication, and they all will, if they can prove it.

What do you call an RN accused of stealing medication?

There is a term used specifically for an RN accused of stealing medication, it is calling diverting, and it happens so often that there is an entire program established by the BRN for such nurses. That program is the Diversion or Intervention Program.