Bluesight Releases 2025 Report on Software Impact in Substance Monitoring
Bluesight's 2025 Diversion Trends Report Overview
In the healthcare landscape, the management of controlled substances remains a critical issue, particularly in hospitals and clinics. Recently, Bluesight, a prominent leader in hospital intelligence solutions, published its 2025 Diversion Trends Report. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the growing role of software in monitoring controlled substances and highlights the importance of staff supervision in combating drug diversion in healthcare settings.
Methodology and Key Insights
The report is based on an extensive analysis of data from over 1,100 hospitals and health systems across the United States. In total, it encompasses insights from more than 266 million controlled substance transactions. By utilizing Bluesight's ControlCheck solution, the report draws comparisons of trends in controlled substance variances, providing a clearer understanding of how monitoring practices have evolved over time.
Notable Findings:
1. Increase in Investigations: There has been a 61% increase in investigations into diversion cases from 2023 to 2024. Hospitals are beginning to utilize diversion monitoring software more effectively, facilitating quicker and more thorough investigations.
2. Reduced Investigation Duration: The report reveals that diversion cases are concluding 40 days faster on average year-over-year, showcasing the efficiency brought about by these new tools.
3. Leading Causes of Variance: Notably, Fentanyl continues to be the drug most commonly associated with variances at 24%, followed by Midazolam at 15% and Hydromorphone at 10%.
4. Declining Variance Rate: A significant finding is that the overall rate of variances in controlled substance transactions is decreasing, with only 6% of transactions reporting variances in 2024. This indicates a positive trend towards improved documentation practices and compliance across the healthcare system.
5. Focus on Staff and Technology: Most hospitals engaged in diversion prevention employ both diversion committees (67%) and technological solutions (53%), emphasizing the synergy of human oversight and automated monitoring.
6. Settings of Diversion: A substantial 67% of confirmed drug diversion cases occur within nursing settings, making it the most prevalent area for concerns, followed by 30% in Operating Rooms (OR) and 3% in Pharmacy settings.
Implications
Kevin MacDonald, CEO and co-founder of Bluesight, emphasizes that the report highlights a critical insight into the efficacy of software tools in managing drug diversion. “As drug diversion remains a pressing challenge for healthcare facilities, employing advanced software tools and automated monitoring systems can significantly enhance operational efficiency, compliance, and safety,” he stated.
The rapid advancements in software technology support healthcare organizations in detecting discrepancies in documentation and monitoring staff behavior effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2025 Diversion Trends Report from Bluesight paints a promising picture of the future of drug diversion monitoring in healthcare. With continuous advancements in technology and a better understanding of staff roles in prevention, hospitals are better equipped to ensure patient safety and uphold compliance in the use of controlled substances. This report serves as a vital resource for healthcare executives looking to enhance their monitoring capabilities and protect both their patients and their institutions.
For a more in-depth look at these findings, healthcare professionals can access the full report available on Bluesight's official website.