Drug Diversion: Identification, Prevention, and Management

Drug diversion is a growing concern in healthcare, posing serious risks to patient safety, staff integrity, and institutional reputation. This 3-hour CE course is designed for Registered Nurses (RNs), particularly those in New Jersey and West Virginia, to provide a comprehensive understanding of drug diversion, including its definition, prevalence, legal implications, and prevention strategies. Participants will explore how drugs are diverted in clinical settings, including tampering, theft, and fraudulent documentation, and the resulting risks to patients and healthcare professionals.

The course emphasizes the legal and ethical responsibilities of nurses in identifying, reporting, and preventing drug diversion. Learners will also examine the impact of diversion on public health and the role of multidisciplinary teams in combating this issue. By the end of the course, nurses will be equipped to recognize warning signs, conduct proper documentation, and implement compliance strategies aligned with state and federal regulations. Ultimately, this training will empower nurses to maintain a culture of accountability, safety, and ethical practice, reinforcing the healthcare system’s integrity and protecting the well-being of all stakeholders.

Educational Objectives

• Define drug diversion and understand its implications for patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader community.
• Identify risk factors and signs of drug diversion in clinical settings.
• Understand legal and ethical responsibility for drug diversion prevention and reporting.
• Implement strategies to prevent drug diversion and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
• Develop effective protocols for reporting and addressing incidents of drug diversion.

Who Should Take This Course

• Registered Nurses (RNs) in New Jersey and West Virginia are mandated to complete CE on drug diversion.
• Nurses working in high-risk settings such as emergency departments, ICUs, surgery, and pain management.
• Nurse administrators and compliance officers are responsible for diversion monitoring.
• Nurses seeking to enhance legal awareness and professional accountability.

Did You Know?

• Approximately 10% of healthcare professionals will misuse drugs at some point in their careers. [American Nurses Association]
• Drug diversion can result in criminal charges, license revocation, and termination of employment.
• Tampering with narcotics is one of the most common forms of diversion in hospitals.
• The DEA mandates that all healthcare organizations have procedures to detect and report drug diversion.
• Proper training on drug diversion has been shown to reduce incidents by as much as 40%. [Joint Commission]