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Course Description

Course Number 20-675621

    Healthcare professionals who prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances need to be aware of the potential for drug diversion as well as best practice for prescribing of controlled substances. This course reviews key aspects of drug diversion including its extent and impact on society, the most commonly diverted drugs and the methods used to divert them, signs of drug diversion and methods of prevention, along with reporting requirements, laws and penalties. The importance of best practice prescribing is also discussed along with the principles of pain management. This course satisfies the requirement under West Virginia SB437 and West Virginia Code § 30-1-7a for one (1) contact hour of CE for Best Prescribing and Drug Diversion Training.

  • Course Category | Public Health

  • Original Activity Release Date | 10/14/2019

  • Date of Most Recent Review | 10/14/2019

  • Next Review / Course Termination Date | 10/13/2022

Educational Goals & Learning Outcomes

     The goal of this course is to provide health care professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to reduce drug diversion, through the utilization of best prescribing practices and diversion prevention, resulting in improved patient outcomes, increased patient safety and optimal patient care. Upon completion participants will be able to:

  • Examine the extent of drug diversion and its impact on society - categorize the most commonly diverted drugs and the methods used to divert them - illustrate signs of drug diversion and methods of prevention - assess reporting requirements, laws and penalties related to drug diversion - support the importance of best practice prescribing - apply the principles of pain management to best practice prescribing

  • Categorize the most commonly diverted drugs and the methods used to divert them

  • Illustrate signs of drug diversion and methods of prevention

  • Assess reporting requirements, laws and penalties related to drug diversion

  • Support the importance of best practice prescribing

  • Apply the principles of pain management to best practice prescribing

About the Course Author(s)

Darren C. Leach, MSN, APRN, NP-C

     Darren C. Leach is a nurse practitioner and author. He is licensed as an APRN by the State of Florida and Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. His professional experience ranges across the lifespan from infants to the elderly with positions in adult internal and emergency care, pediatric internal and emergency care, pediatric and neonatal intensive care as well as endocrinology and nephrology. He has also provided education to nurses, patients, and families in a variety of formats and settings. He received his Baccalaureate of Science degree in Nursing from the University of South Florida in 2005, and his Masters of Science degree in Family Health Nursing in 2010. Mr. Leach has authored numerous courses, including many for MedCEC. To view Mr. Leach's full bio click here.

Course Curriculum