GML-02 - Substance Struggles: Confronting Controlled Substance Mishandling and Addiction in Healthcare

Controlled substance medications are a cornerstone in the management of pain as well as opioid use disorder. Over 50 million people are estimated to experience chronic pain each year while a staggering estimation of 7 million people suffer from an opioid use disorder. These two patient populations are not independent of one another, thereby leading the clinical management to be a complicated matter. In addition to the challenging clinical aspect of patient care for these populations, all healthcare organizations that utilize and prescribe controlled substances must follow strict federal requirements in accordance with the Controlled Substance Act (21 CFR Part 1300 to End) and the Drug Enforcement Administration. These requirements (e.g., ordering, inventory, recordkeeping, dispensing, security, etc.) are important to avoid potential drug diversion while protecting patient safety and public health. Recognizing that the mishandling of controlled substances can occur among both healthcare workers and patients alike, healthcare organizations need to be armed with knowledge on how to recognize and approach a variety of drug mishandling situations across the continuum of care.

The primary goal of this presentation will be to assist the audience in navigating complex cases of controlled substances mishandling in a manner that supports patient care and safety while also legally protecting the providers and organization. As the strategies for treating pain and opioid use disorder often require the use of controlled substances, it is important for healthcare professionals to be comfortable in responding to complex mishandling situations involving other healthcare workers as well as patients. This course will enhance the critical thinking skills of the audience members and highlight potential health disparities present in our patients that suffer from chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Healthcare professionals will feel confident and empowered to approach these challenging cases following the presentation, which can positively impact both patient care and their respective organizations.