Centralizing a controlled substance compliance and drug diversion prevention program within a multihospital health system.

This article focuses on the expansion and centralization of an academic medical center's controlled substances compliance and drug diversion prevention and detection program across five acute care hospitals within a regional health system. The program grew from two dedicated full-time equivalents (FTEs) at a single facility to a centralized team of multiple FTEs serving all facilities, aiming to standardize processes, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks associated with drug diversion amid the opioid epidemic. Key components of the expansion included conducting a gap analysis, securing executive buy-in, recruiting a multidisciplinary team with diverse skills, and establishing multilayered committee structures for oversight and consistent policy enforcement. The centralized program demonstrated measurable improvements in compliance, education, technology implementation, and investigation outcomes while continuing to refine its scope and performance across the region.