An Automated Software Application Reduces Controlled Substance Discrepancies in Perioperative Areas

Perioperative controlled substance diversion and tracking have received increased regulatory focus throughout the United States. The authors' institution developed and implemented an automated web-based software application for perioperative controlled substance management. The authors hypothesized that implementation of such a system reduces errors as measured by missing controlled substance medications, missing controlled substance kits (a package of multiple controlled substance medications), and missing witness signatures during kit return.

From December 1, 2014 to March 31, 2017, the authors obtained missing controlled substance medication, controlled substance kit, and witness return signature data during the preimplementation, implementation, and study period of the controlled substance management application at a single university hospital. This before and after study was based on a QI project at the authors' institution. The authors included all cases requiring anesthesia services. The primary outcome of this study was the rate of missing controlled substance medications. Secondary outcomes included rates for kits not returned to pharmacy and missing kit return witness signatures.

There were 54,302 cases during the preimplementation period, 57,670 cases during the implementation period, and 65,911 cases during the study period. The number of missing controlled substance medication (difference 0.7 per 1,000 cases; 95% CI, 0.38-1.02; P < 0.001) and kit return errors (difference 0.45 per 1,000 cases; 95% CI, 0.24-0.66, P < 0.001) declined after implementation of the application. There was no difference in the number of missing witness return signatures (difference 0.09 per 1,000 cases; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.26, P = 0.350). A user survey with 206 of 485 (42%) response rate demonstrated that providers believed the new application managed controlled substances better than the previous system.

A software application that tracks perioperative controlled substance kits with deep integration into the electronic health record and pharmacy systems is associated with a decrease in management errors.