Healthcare organizations that don't comply with local and federal regulations when dealing with incidents of drug diversion face serious ramifications, according to Tom Knight, chairman of the Healthcare Diversion Network.
HDN is a nonprofit working to educate medical providers on how to handle drug diversion in their facilities.
Mr. Knight told Becker's ASC Review about why handling drug diversion appropriately is essential from a business perspective:
"If organizations don’t adequately address drug diversion, they won't just have fines to deal with. When drug diversion results in patient harm, it can be a PR nightmare for the healthcare facility involved. Patients could lose trust in the hospital and seek out other healthcare providers — this means a loss of revenue for the hospital.
"Even worse, patients who are injured could file lawsuits leading to future reputational harm and legal expenses. Leaders need to consider these financial consequences when determining how much effort to put behind drug diversion prevention and detection."
Tell us how your ASC prevents drug diversion. Email Angie Stewart: astewart@beckershealthcare.com.