Preventing Medication Diversion Developed by the: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and Wisconsin Department of Health Services

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

Introduction Over 6 million people in America may divert drugs Medication 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: Vicodin, Cocaine, Methamphetamine Schedule III: Tylenol® with Codeine Schedule IV: Xanax, Soma, Darvon Schedule V: Cough preparations containing lower amounts of codeine

Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs Opioids Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Stimulants *Oxycodone, morphine, fentanyl and hydrocodone products are among 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 Medication Diversion by Caregivers

developed by The Wisconsin Caregiver Project University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Center for Career Development (CCDET)