It’s Corporate Compliance Week! Report Controlled Substances Concerns

Do you understand the importance of reporting concerns about controlled substances, including possible drug diversion by your colleagues?  Statistics show that approximately 10% of all healthcare providers experience a substance abuse problem sometime during their careers. As healthcare providers, we understand that addiction is a disease, not a character flaw, and our instinct is to try to protect and care for our troubled coworkers ourselves – reporting may feel like a cruel thing to do.

However, we must give each other permission to “speak up” and then follow through, because when you report a controlled substances issue, you may actually be saving multiple lives, including those of your coworker, our patients, and the community at large.

If you suspect that a coworker is diverting drugs or if you have other concerns regarding controlled substances, you should report your concerns in one of four ways:

• Notify your supervisor
• Contact Security (phone number and email link)
• Contact the UMHS Compliance Office (phone number and email links)
• Contact the University of Michigan Compliance Hotline (phone number and online reporting form)

Remember, silence is enabling; speaking up saves lives!