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June 24, 2014

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SPECIAL REPORT

Health system drug diversion harming patients

Drug diversion in healthcare settings is more common than medical professionals think, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, the diversion of controlled substances can result in harm to the patients. In the CDC report, published online June 1, 2014, in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, government investigators documented more than 100 infections and nearly 30,000 patients potentially exposed to bloodborne or bacterial pathogens over the past 10 years due to drug diversions by healthcare workers.

To prevent diversion, healthcare facilities should enforce strong narcotics security measures and maintain active monitoring systems, according to the CDC.

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