Behavioral Health & Addiction Management

Participating Organizations: Cerner, IatricSystems

Jorge, a nurse, was injured while trying to lift a patient alone. Diagnosed with a herniated disc, he was counseled and prescribed pain medication; the medication provided limited relief, leaving Jorge exhausted and depressed. After returning to work, Jorge begins to divert drugs from his patients to better alleviate his pain. Fortunately, his hospital has a drug diversion solution in place that identifies this activity, and Jorge is placed on suspension until successfully completing an Intervention Program. Jorge attends a clinic to help him with his recovery. Utilizing an enhanced prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) for access to the state’s PDMP, the treatment facility can see that the patient has a limited controlled substance prescribing history through other providers. Reviewing Jorge’s care records from other organizations through the health information exchange, it is found that Jorge had several encounters with other providers about his pain and depression, so it’s clear Jorge has sought assistance and potentially also controlled substances elsewhere. Once Jorge successfully completes the Intervention Program, he returns to work at the hospital. Fortunately, Jorge’s employer is armed with the same drug diversion detection solution that first alerted to his initial diversion. With this solution, they are able to provide the proper safeguards and support to help ensure Jorge doesn’t relapse.