What term describes the removal of medication from its usual preparation and administration for unauthorized use?

The term that describes the removal of medication from its usual preparation and administration for unauthorized use is "diversion." Diversion occurs when medications intended for legitimate medical purposes are misappropriated for illegal use or personal gain. This can happen in various ways, such as healthcare professionals taking medication for their own use instead of administering it to patients, or when medications are sold on the black market.

Understanding this term is critical in the context of compliance and risk management within healthcare settings. It highlights the importance of monitoring medication inventory and implementing strict protocols to prevent unauthorized access to medications, which can lead to significant legal and ethical issues for healthcare providers, institutions, and patients alike.

The other terms relate to different concepts in healthcare: prescribing refers to the authorized process of providing patients with medication; adverse drug reaction describes harmful or unintended effects resulting from medication use; while a sentinel event is a patient safety event that results in death or serious physical or psychological injury. These definitions clarify their separate roles in healthcare and compliance.