Preventing Medication Diversion Developed by the: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and Wisconsin Department of Health Services Permission is granted to reproduce these training materials with proper attribution for internal use within healthcare organizations or government agencies at no cost to the training participants. Other reproduction is prohibited without written permission from UW Oshkosh CCDET. All rights are reserved. For information on reproducing these materials, please contact the Director of UW Oshkosh CCDET at

Learning Points Increase Awareness of Medication Diversion in Long-Term Care Understand Controlled Substances Learn Best Practices for Preventing Diversion Report Drug Diversion by Caregivers

Introduction Over 6 million people in America may divert drugs Diversion means that a drug is used for another purpose or by a different person Why may caregivers be more susceptible to drug diversion?

Examples of Controlled Substances The lower the number, the higher the risk of dependency Schedule I: Heroin, Marijuana, LSD, Ecstasy Schedule II: Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Morphine Schedule III: Hydrocodone, Tylenol ® with Codeine Schedule IV: Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam Schedule V: Cough preparations containing lower amounts of codeine

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Opiods Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Stimulants Oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl and hydrocodone products are the most often diverted in WI long-term care facilities

Preventing Diversion Observing Rules and Regulations Knowing Your Responsibilities –As a caregiver –As a supervisor/manager Recognizing Red Flags –What an employer can do –What an employee can do

Best Practices Developing Best Practices Activity: Applying Best Practices –Example 1: Best Practices? –Example 2: Poor Practices? –Example 3: Prevent in the Future?

Reporting Drug Diversion Wisconsin’s Caregiver Law –Abuse, neglect, misappropriation –Enforced by DHS Division of Quality Assurance, DSPS Criminal Charges and Penalties –Theft, neglect, etc. –Enforced by local law enforcement and the WI Dept of Justice

Learning Points Review Increase Awareness of Medication Diversion in Long-Term Care Understand Controlled Substances Learn Best Practices for Preventing Diversion Report Drug Diversion by Caregivers