An anesthesia controlled substance dispensing system

The problems associated with drug abuse or diversion by anesthesia personnel in the operating room (OR), causative factors, effective mechanisms of control of abusable drugs in this area of the hospital, and the need for these systems to be cost effective for the smaller hospital are discussed. A system utilizing anesthetist/case specific drug kits that are dispensed by the pharmacy to the OR and then to individual anesthetists is presented. The system limits quantities of drugs available at one time to anesthesia personnel and provides for clear individual accounting for drugs and the rapid detection and reconciliation of discrepancies. The system demands modest increases in personnel expense and capital and consumable equipment costs. The authors conclude that the system described may provide for improved abusable drug control in the OR at costs reasonable for the smaller hospital.