Terri Vidals
Terri Vidals
CS Drips: Why Every Handoff Counts in Spotting Diversion
CS Drips: Why Every Handoff Counts in Spotting Diversion
CS Drips: Why Every Handoff Counts in Spotting Diversion
Wednesday 4th March 2026
Explore why consistent handoff practices are essential for patient safety and drug diversion prevention with insights from Terri Vidals.
6 minutes
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Terri Vidals
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Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Family Recovery from Addiction
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Recovery Reimagined
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Get the buttons here!Why Every Handoff Counts: Ensuring Medication Safety
Episode Overview
- Consistent handoff practices are vital for preventing drug diversion.
- Double-checking medication volumes during handoffs creates valuable audit trails.
- Proper documentation protects both patients and innocent staff.
- Implementing strong chain of custody protocols is essential for safety.
- Training staff on these practices enhances compliance and accountability.
"Implementing strong chain of custody protocols for controlled substance drips isn't optional; it's essential for safety and accountability."
How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? In this eye-opening episode, Terri Vidals, a seasoned pharmacist, dives into the critical topic of maintaining a clear chain of custody for controlled substance drips and PCA infusions. She highlights how the often-overlooked handoff process between nurses or departments can be a weak link in preventing drug diversion and ensuring patient safety.
Terri emphasises that without proper documentation and volume verification during these transitions, gaps emerge that can lead to confusion during audits and make it challenging to spot diversion events. You'll hear about the importance of double-checking the current volume in medication bags during handoffs, creating a time-stamped record that becomes invaluable during audits. This meticulous practice not only protects patients but also shields innocent staff from being implicated in diversion cases.
Terri provides practical advice on implementing strong chain of custody protocols, including double-verified volume checks and electronic or paper sign-offs at every shift change and transfer. She also shares anecdotes about how these procedures have helped identify patterns of tampering, such as unexplained drops in medication volume during specific shifts. If your healthcare team isn't already prioritising these practices, this episode serves as a crucial reminder of their importance.
So, why not take a moment to reflect on your own practices and consider whether it's time for a policy refresh? After all, ensuring safety and accountability is not just compliance—it's about protecting patients and each other.