HealthcareDiversion.org Celebrates Two Years of Tracking Drug Diversion Incidents Across the Country
HealthcareDiversion.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preventing drug diversion in healthcare facilities, celebrates two years of building transparency and awareness around drug diversion in the U.S. Since launching in 2019, the network has tracked drug diversion incidents in all 50 states across the country and has brought together 18 healthcare executives, investigators, pharmacists, and government professionals to serve on its advisory board. HealthcareDiversion.org also recently added new functionalities to its incident database that allow visitors to filter their searches to show incidents where patients were injured or infected as a result of the drug diversion. Visitors can now share their search results with others to help spread awareness of specific types or groups of incidents.
“When we decided to launch a non-profit network with the goal of compiling all known healthcare diversion incidents, it was a daunting task. I’m thrilled with the headway we’ve made over the past two years and the number of organizations and experts who are supporting our mission,” said Tom Knight, chairman of HealthcareDiversion.org. “However, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the progress our healthcare system has made toward drug diversion prevention and detection, and we still have a lot of work to do. Now is not the time to pump the brakes.”
Understandably, many healthcare organizations had to reprioritize resources in 2020, which resulted in a temporary shift away from drug diversion prevention and programs during the pandemic. HealthcareDiversion.org seeks to provide these hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities with the educational resources they need to refocus their efforts on drug diversion prevention and detection. Healthcare organizations can find best practices for reporting drug diversion, implementing a drug diversion program and more in the website’s resource center.
“Drug diversion is an often-overlooked area when trying to prevent misuse and waste of valuable resources. Many health leaders focus on programs that ensure that drugs are used appropriately, but they aren’t looking at preventing drug diversion,” said Kevin Slavik, Vice President of Pharmacy Management at Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina and HealthcareDiversion.org advisory board member. “Prescription drugs, especially specialty medications, are one of the fastest growing cost components of healthcare, so it is important that we use these resources wisely. HealthcareDiversion.org is one of the only organizations that is trying to bring this issue to the forefront and provide best practices about how to best detect and prevent diversion.”
Recent News & Events
The Healthcare Diversion Network Celebrates One Year Since Launching to Track Drug Diversion Incidents in Healthcare Facilities across the US
More than 400 drug diversion incidents have been added to the HealthcareDiversion.org database with at least one incident has been reported in every state in America.
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Join HealthcareDiversion.org at the 2021 NADDI 32nd Annual Conference in St. Pete Beach, FL from November 9-12
HealthcareDiversion.org Celebrates Two Years of Tracking Drug Diversion Incidents Across the Country
HealthcareDiversion.org calls for new push for drug diversion prevention and detection efforts as COVID-19 pandemic wanes
2021 International Health Facility Diversion Association (IHFDA) Conference: Virtual
HealthcareDiversion.org is hosting a booth at the 2021 IHFDA Conference. Attendees can stop by our virtual booth and ask questions during the conference at any time.
PSQH: Network Seeks to Reduce Drug Diversion, Increase Reporting Rate
Tom Knight, chairman of the Healthcare Diversion Network, is interviewed by Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare regarding the topic of drug diversion and what the network is doing to decrease the problem. With the launch of healthcarediversion.org, there is now a forum to discuss this national issue.