FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.,
June 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BD
(Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global
medical technology company, today released a new report based on an independent national
survey that examines drug diversion in U.S. hospitals, an
underreported contributor to the opioid epidemic.
Hospital drug diversion, when a health care worker "diverts"
opiates or other controlled substances away from patients for
personal use or sale, remains a significant challenge that is
largely underdiscussed. Left undetected, diversion can lead to
patient safety issues, harm to the diverter, and significant risk
for the organization.
The report revealed a number of key factors that contribute to
drug diversion:
- Denial of the problem in their own hospitals –
Executives and providers (nurses, pharmacists and
anesthesiologists) may be in denial about the diversion problem in
their own facilities. The majority of providers surveyed (85%) were
concerned about drug diversion in U.S hospitals, but only 20%
believe diversion is cause for concern where they work. Despite
this, half of respondents report they have observed suspicious
activity in their hospitals that may have been evidence of
diversion.
- Detection technology is critical – Health care
professionals believe the tools they are using to detect diversion
are only somewhat effective and expressed the need for improved
real-time detection tools to identify diverters without generating
false positives. Specifically, 59% of executives want more
accurate data to reduce false positives; 54% would like
artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning technologies and
advanced analytics; and, 53% would like to see mandatory diversion
training. Hospital executives and providers believe that, if given
the appropriate resources, diversion can be significantly mitigated.
- Stressful work environment – Both executives and
providers believe hospitals are stressful work environments, which
may be a contributing factor that can make health care providers
vulnerable to substance misuse. In fact, 78% of providers have
known a peer who seemed stressed "to the breaking
point."
"This report clearly shows how difficult the issue of drug
diversion is to detect, as well as the challenges hospitals and
health systems face with tracking and managing cases of diversion
within their own facilities," said Perry
Flowers, vice president of Medical Affairs at BD. "Diversion
is not a new problem in health care, but recent advancements in
diversion tracking include machine learning to intelligently
analyze opioid transactions and reduce false positives.
Establishing a culture of open dialogue and reporting that
encourages recovery may also be key to efforts that address
diversion."
The report — Health Care's Hidden Epidemic: A Call to Action
on Hospital Drug Diversion — is based on findings from an
independent survey of 651 health care executives and providers
commissioned by the BD Institute for Medication Management
Excellence and conducted by KRC Research, a global public opinion
research consultancy. The survey collected data and opinions
between February 20-28, 2019, from
hospital executives, hospital diversion managers,
anesthesiologists, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and a
diverse group of nurses. To download the full report, visit
bd.com/diversion-report.
The report also includes additional data and personal insights
from clinical thought leaders to highlight barriers and solutions
and bring context to the raw data. An included resource guide
focuses more narrowly on ways to support hospitals as they address
this problem – with guidance such as implementing machine learning
and other technologies, and improving diversion education and
training. The overall goal of the report is to foster a national
conversation on the best ways to address this silent crisis.
The national opioid epidemic has reached unprecedented heights,
with Americans now more likely to die from opioid overdose than in
a car accident — nearly 200 people a day on average, according to a
2019 analysis by the National Safety Council.1 Between
10% and 15% of the general population will misuse substances in
their lives, including health care workers with access to
controlled substances.2 This creates a vulnerability
beyond that of the general population, making diversion a very
serious problem across hospitals and health systems.
"This report is an opportunity to encourage more robust
discussion about diversion and how we can prevent it, detect it and
help the hospital employees who are affected by it," said
Ranjeet Banerjee, worldwide
president, Medication Management Solutions at BD. "While there
won't be a one-size-fits-all solution, we believe this report
should spur additional research and ultimately lead to more
actionable programs and resources for hospitals to adopt
solutions."
About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical
technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of
health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery
of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of
health care by developing innovative technology, services and
solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and
clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 65,000
employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety
and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable
laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance
researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of
diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every
country and partners with organizations around the world to address
some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in
close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes,
lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand
access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit
bd.com.
1Odds of Dying – Data Details. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/preventable-death-overview/odds-of-dying/data-details;
Accessed October 30, 2018
2Baldisserri MR. Impaired healthcare
professional. Crit Care Med. 2007;35(suppl):S106-16.
Contacts:
Matthew
Coppola
|
Monique N.
Dolecki
|
BD Public
Relations
|
BD Investor
Relations
|
201.847.7370
|
201.847.5378
|
matthew_r_coppola@bd.com
|
Monique.Dolecki@bd.com
|
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-sheds-light-on-health-cares-hidden-epidemic--hospital-drug-diversion--and-its-role-in-the-opioid-crisis-300859759.html
SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)