Controlled Substances and Drug Diversion

The theft of drugs and controlled substances by health care professionals is a serious problem that can lead to patient harm and jeopardize patient safety.

Since 2011, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has worked with its partners to collaboratively address this important issue.

• Hospitals: In 2012, MDH, the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) and their partners issued a report, and launched a campaign to more effectively prevent and respond to drug diversions in hospitals. The campaign included a road map and tool kit for hospitals with resources, such as training materials, sample policies and procedures, and reporting guidelines and requirements that providers can use when they suspect a drug diversion has occurred.
• Long Term Care Providers (LTC): In 2019, MDH, Department of Human Services (DHS), Leading Age Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota released a pathway to assist LTC providers with the prevention of drug diversion in in their specific population of long term care. Along with the pathway, a toolkit was released that contains resources, such as training materials and sample policies and procedures, that providers can use in their prevention efforts.

Controlled substances most associated with a theft or loss event were hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine sulfate, and fentanyl. Theft of these controlled substances is a felony offense.

Resources

• Outbreak of Gram-Negative Bacteremia at a St. Cloud Hospital. (PDF). This is an analysis of 2011 St. Cloud Hospital blood infection outbreak.
• Minnesota Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention Coalition Final Report (PDF)
• Hospital Road Map to Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention (PDF)
• Hospital Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention Toolkit
• Prevention of Controlled Substance Diversion-Long Term Care