ISMP Canada Safety Bulletin: Opioid Diversion in Hospitals – A Safety Concern

Canadian data suggest that diversion of controlled medications from hospitals is on the rise. The consequences of controlled substance loss can be harmful for individual patients, the care provider(s) involved, the providers’ colleagues, the hospital, and the health care system as a whole. This bulletin highlights the prevalence and associated awareness of diversion, calls attention to current work, and emphasizes the need for hospitals to take steps in strengthening their internal systems to monitor, detect and prevent diversion. https://www.ismp-canada.org/download/safetyBulletins/2020/ISMPCSB2020-i8-Opioid-Diversion.pdf