Can You Spot a Drug Diverter in Your Midst?
Anesthesia providers are vulnerable to on-the-job opioid abuse.
A
ll the troublesome
ingredients that can
lead to drug diversion
are intensified in anesthesia
providers. They work in high-
stress environments, they may
suffer professional burnout
and they have much easier
access to opioids than most.
They may also be prone to the
false beliefs that they can stop
any time, and that their
knowledge and education will
keep them from becoming
addicted.
Diverters may steal drugs
for themselves, for money, or
for a friend who's addicted or
in pain (see "Detecting
Diverters: Signs Are Plentiful"). Regardless, if we choose to look the
other way, we enable them. It can be tempting to do so. We sympa-
thize with their stress. Or we don't want to subject colleagues to pro-
fessional or legal sanctions. We may even fear reprisal.
Or we might just find it difficult to accept that a respected longtime
coworker could do such a thing. So we make excuses. We give them
lighter assignments to help alleviate stress. Or we complain to each
other about suspected diverters, but don't take our concerns to the
proper level. After all, what if I'm wrong?
3 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 7
Anesthesia Alert
Perry V. Ruspantine, CRNA, APRN
• WHO AM I HURTING? Drug diversion should never be thought of as a
victimless crime.
