Theft of Controlled Substances in Long-Term Care Homes: An Exploratory Study.

Autor: Caspi E; University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA., Xue WL; School of Nursing and Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA., Liu PJ; School of Nursing and Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society [J Appl Gerontol] 2023 Jul; Vol. 42 (7), pp. 1588-1599. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Jan 23.
DOI: 10.1177/07334648231153731
Abstrakt: The theft of controlled substances has been studied in the community and healthcare settings including hospitals, pharmacies, hospice, and pain clinics. However, research on these thefts in long-term care homes has yet to be published. This exploratory study makes first steps toward bridging this gap. Using 107 Minnesota Department of Health's investigation reports substantiated as "drug diversion" between 2013 and 2021 in assisted living residences and nursing homes, we found that 11,328.5 tablets were stolen from 368 residents (97.5% were controlled substances), with over 30 tablets stolen per resident. We also identified the types of medications stolen, duration of theft, extent to which nurses stole the medications or were those initially suspecting thefts, and the role of surveillance cameras in confirming allegations. The findings could raise awareness to this form of elder mistreatment in long-term care homes and call for action to address it.
Databáze: MEDLINE