Drug Diversion

Unfortunately there is no golden rule to avoid this problem and medical providers are all fooled at times when it comes to the crafty and illegal practice of drug diversion.I have been misled by little old grandmas, physically disabled, and mentally disabled who have lied about their diagnosis and medications needed for pain management. Now I have the patients go through a screening process and sign an agreement.
 I do my own back ground check with their permission by talking to previous providers, insurance companies, family, pharmacies and friends. The patient must be willing to go through a thorough work up to determine source of pain and see specialist to make recommendations. Random drug screens are ordered. Lastly long acting medications are less addictive but better at managing chronic pain.  For the most part my patients have caregivers administering medications, so there is less of a risk for diversion and abuse. However, they still have gone out to visit other providers and purchase medicine at different pharmacies without telling their caregivers. That is why we contact the insurance companies. The patients that live in facilities who have a legitimate pain issue but at risk for diversion I use liquid so that they can not cheek and sell to others.
For more information:
http://associationdatabase.com/aws/N...1_number_1.pdf


Joanne Gigi Hardtke