why call it diversion?

[cecilsgirl]

I was just wondering , when a Nurse takes medications meant for a patient, ( for example) why is it called "diversion".... shouldn't it just be called stealing? I notice many times the term "diversion" is used, why? When someone steals from the drugstore , ( for example) it is called stealing, not..... "so and so was arrested for diversion".

[llg, PhD, RN]

Because it's different than taking it from a supply of "stock" meds -- in which case the patient still receives the proper drug. In the case of a "diversion," the patient doesn't get the medication he/she needs.

In other words, if I steal from the supply cabinet in the pharmacy, the patient still gets the needed meds. But if I steal it at the point of patient administration by "diverting" it to myself and giving the patient saline or something, then the patient doesn't get the needed med.

2 different types of stealing. Hence, 2 different terms used over the years.

[Davey Do]

Politically correct terms are interesting frogs, aren't they, cecilsgirl?

To paraphrase llg:

Divert means to draw off to a different course, direction, etc. The appropriate course of a medication would be, of course, from the pharmaceutical loction to the Patient. In this instance, the drug would be diverted to the person "stealing" the drug. Hence, "Drug Diversion".

Dave

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I think I see your point, but the euphemisms are everywhere - no matter whether we're talking about acts that occur in the medication room or things that happen outside the hospital.

In fact, where I'm from, no one gets arrested for stealing. They're charged with larceny, robbery, shoplifting or a number of other terms may be less unsettling.

[Raidernurse]

Just a quick add on to this discussion. Six years ago I was spanked (and rightly so) for showing up to work "impaired." I never diverted or stole medications from my employer. However, I spent three years in a Board operated program unaptly named the "Diversion program for impaired nurses" Go figure.

[tewdles, RN]

Just a quick add on to this discussion. Six years ago I was spanked (and rightly so) for showing up to work "impaired." I never diverted or stole medications from my employer. However, I spent three years in a Board operated program unaptly named the "Diversion program for impaired nurses" Go figure.

"Divert means to draw off to a different course, direction, etc. The appropriate course of a medication would be, of course, from the pharmaceutical loction to the Patient. In this instance, the drug would be diverted to the person "stealing" the drug. Hence, "Drug Diversion"."

So if the purpose of the program is to change the course or direction that an impaired nurse is currently walking...then wouldn't a Diversion program for impaired nurses be aptly named?

just my 2nd glass of wine musings...

[elkpark]

So if the purpose of the program is to change the course or direction that an impaired nurse is currently walking...then wouldn't a Diversion program for impaired nurses be aptly named?

just my 2nd glass of wine musings...

That was my thought, also (without any wine :)).

[southernbeegirl, BSN, RN]

I've been sober 7 years now. I don't call it diversion. I say I stole medication from my patients because that's what I did.