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 percent of all health care providers experience a substance abuse problem sometime during their careers. As health care providers, it is understood that addiction is a disease, not a character flaw and with the instinct to try and protect and care for troubled coworkers ourselves, reporting may feel like a cruel thing to do.

However, everyone in the organization 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, 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 (734-936-7890)

• Contact the UMHS Compliance Office (734-615-4400)

• Contact the U-M Compliance Hotline (1-866-990-0111)

Remember, silence is enabling; speaking up saves lives!