Why a Case-Based Approach to Drug Diversion Surveillance Enhances a Report-Based Method

A Winning Game Plan to Monitor and Prevent Diversion

In the dynamic and constant world of healthcare, drug diversion remains a critical issue. From controlled substances being misappropriated to improper waste disposal, the consequences can be severe, affecting patient safety, regulatory compliance, and institutional reputation. 

What is Drug Diversion?

Drug diversion refers to the transfer of any legally prescribed controlled substance from the individual for whom it was prescribed to another person for any illicit use. In healthcare settings, this often involves employees diverting medication for personal use or illicit sale. Proper identification and management of drug diversion are essential for ensuring patient safety, regulatory compliance, and institutional integrity.

While organizations must audit and monitor for drug diversion as part of their ongoing compliance efforts, a comprehensive diversion program should also consider investigative methods that drive efficiency and identify suspicious behavior before diversion before it occurs. This blog dives into the traditional, report-based method as well as the more advanced, case-based approach that helps organizations streamline drug diversion investigations.  

The Traditional Report-Based Approach

A report-based approach, which often is the baseline for compliance, relies on the manual generation and review of reports highlighting discrepancies and unusual behaviors. These reports are reactive, focusing on identifying issues after they have occurred. While this method has been the standard for many years, it presents several limitations:

• Manual and Time-Consuming: Requires significant human resources for generating and reviewing reports.
• Reactive Nature: Often detects diversion only after substantial damage has been done.
• Lower Detection Rates: Limited to what discrepancies can be manually identified, which may miss complex or subtle diversion activities.

The Case-Based Approach

A case-based approach leverages advanced AI and analytics to compile comprehensive data from various sources, focusing on probable diversion events and allowing for proactive monitoring. This method shifts the focus from reactive to proactive, significantly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of drug diversion detection.  

Key Benefits of the Case-Based Approach

According to Protenus' analysis of over 12,000 diversion investigations, a case-based approach is nearly 2.5 times more likely to detect diversion compared to report-based methods. This means healthcare organizations can identify and address issues before they escalate, ensuring a safer environment for patients and staff.

By automating data collection and analysis, case-based surveillance reduces the manual effort required for investigations. This allows pharmacists, compliance officers, and pharmacy directors to focus on critical tasks rather than sifting through extensive reports.

Protenus reports that 70% of diversion cases were identified during the first case promotion. This rapid detection enables quicker response times, minimizing the window for potential harm and reducing overall risk.

A case-based approach integrates data from various transactions and activities, providing a holistic view of potential diversion. This comprehensive analysis increases the likelihood of identifying true diversion events and reduces the risk of false positives.

Instead of waiting for discrepancies to appear in reports, a case-based system proactively flags likely diversion events. This early warning system allows for timely intervention and prevention.

Real-World Examples

Healthcare organizations using Protenus’ Drug Diversion Surveillance technology have experienced significant improvements in their monitoring and detection capabilities. For instance, organizations employing a case-based approach accounted for 75% of cases investigated and 90% of diversion violations, highlighting the effectiveness of this method.

Case Study

Consider a large healthcare system that transitioned from a report-based to a case-based approach. Previously, their manual review process struggled to keep up with the volume of transactions, leading to delayed detections and missed diversions. Since implementing a case-based system, they have seen a 248% increase in diversion detection rates and a 75% reduction in discovery times. This shift has not only improved patient safety but also enhanced compliance and operational efficiency.

Conclusion

A case-based approach to drug diversion surveillance represents a significant advancement that augments or enhances the traditional report-based methods.  By integrating these methods, organizations can audit, monitor, and investigate with greater effectiveness and efficiency, moving from a reactive stance to a proactive strategy in detecting diversions.

By leveraging advanced AI and comprehensive data analysis, the case based approach offers higher detection rates, reduced investigative workload, and quicker discovery times. For pharmacists, compliance officers, and pharmacy directors, adopting a case-based system is not just a technological upgrade—it’s a strategic imperative for enhancing patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

Ready to take your drug diversion surveillance to the next level? Contact us today.