With an estimated 1 in every 100 healthcare workers diverting controlled substances, drug diversion monitoring and surveillance tools are becoming increasingly critical for healthcare organizations. At the same time, health systems are constantly evaluating how to be more efficient with capital and resources in a strained economic environment.
Drug diversion solutions, drug cost optimization tools, and 340B compliance software are all obvious examples of cost-saving technologies. But, as healthcare organizations look to adopt these new platforms and replace legacy solutions, common trends and challenges around adoption and implementation are emerging. Let’s explore some considerations around drug diversion monitoring software in particular that are directly impacted by who you choose as your technology partner.
Drug diversion monitoring software should do the heavy lifting
For healthcare organizations, outside of cost-savings and compliance, the goal of new tech should be to divert work away from front-line clinical workers and analysts, not the other way around. Nurse managers and staff play a critical role in diversion investigations and remediations, but if those individuals are asked to analyze and process raw data or to screen out false positives, then you’re not using your drug diversion monitoring technology to make the work easier on front-line staff.
Look for a solution that automates manual, time-consuming processes
We understand that healthcare workers are overwhelmed with responsibilities, with some tasks redirecting them away from patient care. The ControlCheck platform is designed to automatically conduct efficient and effective diversion investigations.
When new data is ingested, our technology is used to automatically check, update, and resolve activity that was previously thought to be a concern, saving your clinical leaders time, and curbing alert fatigue and false positives. Our drug diversion monitoring and surveillance solution identifies the most suspicious users, creating fewer “false flags”and alerts to the end-user. Our patented technology learns over time what constitutes a ‘good’ catch or a false positive using end-user input on updated and resolved incidents. Any time-savings can be reinvested into patient care.
Your technology provider should be responsible for data quality and assurance testing
No one knows your data better than you do, but are you being asked to QA what your vendors’ products do with your data? Are you being charged for a product while you complete the QA?
In many cases, drug diversion software vendors offload the quality assurance (QA) process of the system integration onto the hospital’s IT, compliance, or pharmacy teams during implementation of a drug diversion monitoring solution, or charge extra for these services (often after the contract has been signed). This practice can be an unexpected financial strain on healthcare organizations already operating on thin margins. This lack of collaboration can lead to significant challenges for the organization long-term, including increased workload and potential compliance risks, as well as inadequate or inefficient use of the technology solution.
Look for a provider that has robust QA policies in place
At Bluesight, we take the time, resources, and diligence required to perform the majority of QA tasks for our customers. Our goal is to provide a seamless, cost-effective implementation process that doesn’t compromise on quality or compliance. We believe in a collaborative approach to our system implementation and QA. Our team works closely with key stakeholders through the entire onboarding process to ensure that all aspects of the implementation are thoroughly vetted and functioning correctly. By doing so, we reduce the burden on your team and ensure a smoother transition to full operational use.
You should have the right data feeds included in your analytics
Effective drug diversion monitoring solutions rely on accurate and comprehensive data feeds from electronic health records (EHR), HR management platforms, automated dispensing cabinets (ADC), and other pharmaceutical and operational systems for comprehensive surveillance of controlled substance use.
Issues like duplicate employee (or patient) records, name changes, or multiple accounts for an employee due to job changes (or concurrent roles), can severely impact the performance and reliability of diversion surveillance technology. Inappropriately linked data may lead to wrongfully accusing an employee of drug diversion, or even worse, completely overlooking a legitimate concern for diversion.
The solution is continuous data integrity
We prioritize data integrity by ensuring smart integration and data mapping that prevents data inconsistencies and doesn’t require manual maintenance. For example, when capturing HR records, we’re able to accurately link employee and patient data files to the appropriate user, ensuring that our customers have the most accurate and reliable information.
Furthermore, CostCheck automatically accounts for any medication formulary changes or when new NDCs are purchased, meaning, there is no end-user maintenance required to ‘map’ medications within the software. This attention to detail provides confidence that our system remains accurate and reliable, providing the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Your data should be sufficiently protected
Another troubling trend in the landscape of drug diversion surveillance software is that it’s not uncommon for vendors to use health system data for purposes outside of drug diversion surveillance.
For example, a vendor may pitch additional products using the health system’s own data, without permission. Far worse is when vendors sell customer data to third parties without explicit authorization. While agreements should prevent this, data can be aggregated and sold without the health system’s knowledge.
The solution is explicit protections
At Bluesight, we explicitly call out data privacy and security obligations in our contracts and assure our customers that their data will not be used outside of the scope of agreed upon work. We prioritize customer data protection through a combination of security measures and transparency. We adhere to industry standards and regulations to ensure data handling meets specific compliance requirements, with a privacy policy that clearly outlines how customer data is used and protected, allowing customers to understand and control their information. By implementing these practices, we strive to build trust and safeguard sensitive customer data.
Did you compare all vendors in a selection process?
Vendors often employ contract rollover tactics or ‘grandfather’ older agreements into new terms without renegotiation. This practice can lock healthcare organizations into outdated, less effective drug diversion monitoring solutions – without notice, or with minimal time to consider alternatives. You want to work with a provider that is continually investing in the features and capabilities of their product. .
The solution is transparent contracts
Organizations should routinely review their vendor contracts, keeping awareness to term conditions and dates. At Protenus, we believe in transparency and flexibility. Our contracts are designed to be clear and straightforward, and we are open to renegotiation to ensure our clients receive the best possible service and value.
Are all stakeholders involved in the selection process?
Many health systems have established drug diversion monitoring committees that include participation from all relevant parties: Pharmacy, Nursing, IT, Compliance/Risk, and Human Resources. When solutions are selected without consulting all stakeholders, it can lead to inefficient workflows that burden certain teams, while leaving others in the dark. Similar to the aforementioned trend of nursing leaders being asked to review raw data in order to reduce false positives, the compliance team is often missed in purchasing processes. As a result, board compliance and audit committees often find the need to change programs after the fact in order to best support their peers who are leading diversion investigations. All stakeholders bring their own experience and value in delicate diversion investigations, and ensuring all perspectives are covered is imperative to building a successful monitoring program.
The solution is to promote a culture of awareness
Bluesight recognizes the importance of collaboration when building successful drug diversion programs. By including all stakeholders, from leadership to compliance to clinical staff, a culture of awareness and accountability can be fostered. This collaborative approach ensures effective program implementation, efficient investigations, and open communication. Our commitment extends beyond the technology itself, aiming to empower all healthcare personnel to play a vital role in safeguarding patient safety and maintaining institutional integrity.
Our commitment to constant innovation
At Bluesight, we are committed to addressing drug diversion monitoring challenges with innovative, customer-focused solutions that help enhance efficiency, maintain compliance, and ultimately, improve patient care.
Our hands-on approach to implementation, commitment to collaboration, and dedication to delivering on promises make us a trusted partner in healthcare compliance and in the battle against drug diversion. We aim to remain at the forefront, leveraging advanced technologies and industry insights to provide unparalleled service and support.
If you’re ready to experience the Bluesight difference, we invite you to connect with us and learn more about how our solutions can benefit your organization. Let’s work together to create a safer, more efficient healthcare environment.
One final note! The information shared in this post is intended for informational purposes only. Your own due diligence and technology needs should ultimately drive your final decision.