ADIoS – Abusable Drugs Investigational Software
Diversion of controlled drugs is a continuing source of concern to the Care Quality Commission and despite strengthened controls it has underlined that there is no room for complacency.
Rx-info devised ADIoS in 2006 to provide NHS Trust Accountable Officers with a robust system for monitoring and reporting on controlled and abusable drugs including schedules 4 + 5.
The latest version is compliant with CQC requirements and NICE guidance.
In 2023, the CQC said “CDAOs and nominated controlled drug leads must have oversight of the use of controlled drugs and follow up any unusual use, to assure themselves that the arrangements for controlled drugs in their organisation are safe. This should include timely audits and considering treating controlled drugs as high-risk medicines.” They went on to add “we need to consider how the risks associated with [prescribing of schedule 4&5 drugs] practices can be minimised”. All of this is achievable through ADIoS.
ADIoS has a proven track record of enhancing security and accountability of drug usage in trusts across the country. It runs on the trusted Define platform.
The software monitors around 1,200 drug formulations for a hospital, with a simplified visual display that tracks back to ward-level. Viewing the data over a period of time enables the hospital to ensure the safety and accountability of abusable drugs.
ADIoS:
● Allows Controlled Drug audits to be completed
● Identifies likely areas where diversion may be taking place
● Supports the management of incidents following diversion
● Shows patterns of diversion across an organisation
● Supports Local Intelligence Network meetings
● Easily tracks more than 1,600 abusable drugs (including schedules 4 & 5 Controlled Drugs)
ADIoS Case study
Enhanced security and accountability of drug usage at a South West hospital has reduced incidents thanks to ADIoS, a software tool from RX-info that monitors and reports on abusable drugs.
“ADIoS allows us to track the obvious patterns of unusual behaviour,” said a spokesperson for the hospital. “It gives us confidence that we can identify and resolve any suspicious patterns.”
The solution monitors around 1600 drug formulations for the hospital, with a simplified visual display that tracks back to hospital ward-level. Viewing the data over a period of time, enables the hospital to ensure the safety and accountability of abusable drugs.
“Twice a month I view the data once the hospital and ePACT prescription data has been uploaded. This allows me to identify incidents to investigate further, so I can find out if its use is legitimate,” added the hospital.
“There are obvious signs that raise questions. Specific drugs that are prone to abuse, drug usage in departments that would have no reason to be using that drug, or high spikes in particular formulations.”
“This data arms me with the knowledge to go and ask the questions. There are many times when the drug simply reappears, having been temporarily misplaced. The system allows us to track drug usage when specific staff who are under observation move hospital locations.”
For the hospital, it is not just a tool to identify theft or misuse, ADIoS ensures compliance. “In one case, we had a sharp increase of a formulation of codeine being used by a surgery team, but they were trying to reduce the intoxication amongst patients by using lower codeine doses.”
“For me, ADIoS is not only a tool to identify abuse, but it helps provide assurance that drugs are being used safely and to an extent can identify adherence with hospital guidelines. Monitoring allows us to follow up some drug orders to ensure that the doctors are prescribing the right drugs, and the ones that the hospital have approved.”
ADIoS goes some way to assuring that a hospital can be compliant with Care Quality Commission requirements, providing a robust system to monitor controlled and divertible medicines. This digital solution enables an efficient, streamlined approach to drug compliance.
Armed with ADIoS, the hospital is able to identify and address unusual ordering trends of controlled and abusable drugs. By viewing data in an easy to access and user friendly format, the user can be more confident that they have robust processes in place to ensure drug safety and compliance.
● To find out more about how ADIoS can help ensure compliance with CQC and NICE guidance on monitoring controlled and abusable drugs, please email [email protected] or call 01392 460263.