A Corruption and Crime Commission review of WA Health’s management of dangerous drugs has found it had made substantial progress in responding to significant misconduct risks.
In its Review of Recommendations Made Following Reports on Dangerous Drugs in Hospitals in Western Australia the Commission looked for reforms implemented by WA Health and it wasn’t disappointed.
The Review confirmed that progress had been achieved responding to significant misconduct risks surrounding the management of controlled drugs in public hospitals.
It found that WA Health had defined accountability around the drugs better; improved policies, procedures and practices; introduced better checks and balances; and implemented modern automated systems.
It also found WA Health had enhanced its education and training concerning dangerous drugs.
The risks came to light following investigations by the Commission in 2017 and 2018 after drugs at two large metropolitan hospitals were stolen by a pharmacist who was addicted to opioids.
“He exploited each hospital’s processes to work unsupervised and to falsify records, which went undetected for 14 months,” the Commission’s report said.
It said that of the 17 out of 19 recommendations now adequately addressed, two more depended on the implementation of a major policy review by WA Health.
“In a year, the Commission will conduct a further review of the two remaining recommendations and assess the overall impact of the Department of Health’s new consolidated medicines handling policy,” the report said.
The Commission’s 49-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
