While a vast majority of executives and providers are concerned about drug diversion in U.S. hospitals, only 20 percent believe it is an issue where they work, according to a new survey commissioned by the BD Institute for Medication Management Excellence and conducted by KRC Research.
Drug diversion is the illegal trafficking and use of legitimately made controlled substances, such as controlled pharmaceuticals. It can lead to opioid misuse and abuse.
The survey polled 651 hospital executives, diversion managers, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses between Feb. 20 and Feb. 28.
Four findings:
1. Eighty-five percent of respondents said they recognized drug diversion as a problem at U.S hospitals, and around 50 percent said they have observed suspicious activity in their hospitals that could have been evidence of diversion.
2. Only 20 percent, however, said they believe drug diversion is a cause for concern at the facilities where they work.
3. Fifty-nine percent of executives want more accurate data to reduce false positives, while 54 percent want artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies and advanced analytics to identify drug diversion.
4. Fifty-three percent of executives said they would support mandatory diversion training.