much my life's very foundations were on the line and, with a group of
facility leaders involved, I knew I'd been flagged on multiple fronts.
After a year of recovering away from health care, I was able to return
to my career as a CRNA. One day, I found myself working with a nurse
in the ER who was pulling opioids to get prepped and, as she bustled
around, I noticed another nurse out of the corner of my eye circling our
5 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7
Drug Diversion a Concern Among Facility Leaders
Judging by the results of a recent poll of our readers, more than
half expressed at least moderate concern with drug diversion on
their staff. With the current
opioid crisis swelling without
any apparent solution, every-
one seems to be sensing the
dire effects of the epidemic in
every facet of society, and the
healthcare industry is no
exception. What's more, health-
care providers have easier
access to powerful medications
almost every day of their lives,
putting them at greater risk of
exposure and developing addic-
tions. Talk to your staff about the risks and consequences of drug
diversion and keep the dialogue open. This issue is largely a hidden
one, and its clandestine nature is where it draws strength. Keep
caution and concern open among your colleagues. Part of tackling
diversion is keeping everyone conscious of the danger and knowing
what to do when they see it.
— Joe Madsen
How concerned are you
about staff diverting drugs?
Extremely 15%
Moderately 46%
Not at all 39%
SOURCE: Outpatient Surgery
Magazine InstaPoll, November
2017, 275 respondents
InstaPoll
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