Drugs in hospitals: managing the misconduct risk

Speakers:
Melissa Dove
Senior Consultant, Corruption and Crime Commission
Philip Barden,
Principal Agency Review Officer, Corruption and Crime Commission

Abstract:
The Corruption and Crime Commission began its program of reviews of WA Health’s approach to misconduct management in June 2007. The initial hospital reviews found that whilst WA Health had started to focus on misconduct at an agency level, there was no cohesive system evidenced at the hospital level. These site reviews, in combination with notifications from WA Health to the Commission, highlighted a significant misconduct risk in public hospitals — the management and handling of Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 drugs.

WA Health embarked on a program of audits across its hospital sites in order to ascertain what discrepancies existed, and conducted a review of the functions of the Pharmacy Branch of WA Health. The Commission commenced its review, specifically focused on drug-related misconduct. Site inspections and interviews were held across 10 metropolitan and country hospitals, as well as at the Department of Health centrally. The review also analysed relevant procedures, policies, legislation and reported misconduct cases involving Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 drugs.

The Commission reported its findings and recommendations to WA Health in the form of a draft working paper. WA Health has accepted all of the recommendations made, and is in the process of implementing a wide range of initiatives. The Commission continues to assist the agency in this process, and with reducing the incidence of misconduct across WA Health generally.