Drug Diversion: Best Practices and Support for a Staff Assessment Process

The characteristics of opioid prescribing and administration in cancer centers include large quantities and less restrictive regulatory mandates governing cancer-related pain, which may increase the risk of drug diversion by staff members. The purpose of this article is to provide a framework for creating respectful investigative processes for staff suspected of drug diversion. Organizations, including cancer centers, need to engage in careful oversight of potential drug diversions while simultaneously promoting a psychologically safe work environment for individuals to successfully seek help.

AT A GLANCE

• Building an open, nonpunitive culture in cancer centers to address diversion investigation processes can assist staff to feel comfortable raising concerns about colleagues.
• Fostering supportive processes and a culture of safety around drug diversion investigations can convey empathy from the organization related to an employee’s livelihood and well-being. 
• Drug diversion prevention programs need to ensure patient safety within an authentic and supportive work environment for staff with alleged or established substance use disorders.