Pan-Canadian Diversion Risk Assessment Tool Frequently Asked Questions

How many team meetings should we schedule?: Estimates indicate it will take 2-3 hours to complete this self-assessment. Depending on your organization, you may wish to do this all at once or separate the self-assessment into multiple meetings.
Do we need a team that includes interdisciplinary members to complete the self-assessment?: Because the management of Controlled Substances is a complex, inter-disciplinary process, the value and accuracy of the assessment is significantly reduced if it is completed by a single individual or discipline involved in medication use.
Do we need senior leadership representation on our team?: Attendance by an individual from the leadership team is recommended and valuable because the assessment contains many items that relate to your organization’s overall commitment to Controlled Substance safety and security. Additionally, participation in the self-assessment provides senior leadership with insight into areas of risk in the medication use system.
Do we need a patient or patient representative/advocate on our team?: This role is encouraged to ensure that there is an opportunity for a patient advocacy perspective in assessing the hospital’s Controlled Substance practices. The most likely contribution of this team member will be with regards to the patient and family’s perspective of activities in the clinical unit (e.g., effectiveness of pain control, variability in PRN dosing between nursing staff, patient interviews during Controlled Substance tracers, accessibility of patient relations support to patients or family with regards to Controlled Substance practices).
May I make copies of the self-assessment document?: The copyright allows you to make copies of the self-assessment for internal use. You may not modify or alter the content.

The assessment is intended for use as part of ongoing quality improvement activities. Other uses, such as in education presentations external to an individual Organization or corporate group require written permission from ISMP Canada. Email mssa@ismpcanada.ca for more information.
My organization has a number of sites. Do I need a password for each one?: It is recommended that each site within an organization complete the assessment independently. Each site will require its own password.