Bugs and Drugs: Investigating Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission in Injectable Drug Diversion

Session Description: "Bugs and Drugs: Investigating the Risk of Bloodborne Pathogen Transmission in Injectable Drug Diversion" will utilize traditional tabletop exercise techniques in combination with branching narrative storytelling to guide participants through a realistic injectable drug diversion event. This interactive workshop aims to educate and spread awareness of bloodborne pathogen transmission and infection prevention related to such events. The content for this workshop will be directed toward both clinical and non-clinical stakeholders who work in settings at risk for injectable drug diversion (e.g., acute care hospitals).

Through open group discussions and virtual polls, participants will test their understanding of injectable drug diversion incidents and investigations. This workshop will immerse participants in the scenario from the first suspicion of possible diversion until patient notification and testing have been completed. Throughout the session, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the next steps in the investigation and vote via virtual polls on what actions should occur within the scenario. The results of the poll will assist in guiding the pre-determined narrative. At the end of the exercise, participants will have the opportunity to review the different pathways they could have followed in their investigation that may have led to a different outcome.

The workshop will begin with a 20-minute overview of the underappreciated risk of bloodborne pathogen (BBP) transmission during injectable drug diversion. Followed by a 55-minute tabletop exercise and a 15-minute question and answer session. Opportunities to discuss lessons learned and best practices surrounding prevention, detection, and response to drug diversion events as related to infection prevention and control will be provided throughout the workshop on the part of both the presenters and participants.