What action is referred to when a healthcare professional removes medication from the usual stream for personal use?

The situation described involves a healthcare professional taking medication for personal use outside of the proper channel, which is accurately termed drug diversion. Drug diversion occurs when controlled substances are intentionally misappropriated from the prescribed pathway intended for legitimate medical use, leading to illegal or unethical usage.

This action can have serious implications for patient safety, as it not only involves the unauthorized taking of medications but also potentially deprives patients of the medications they need. Additionally, it poses legal risks for the individual involved and can undermine the trust in healthcare systems.

In contrast, drug prescribing refers to the legitimate process of a healthcare provider issuing a prescription for a patient. An adverse drug reaction is a harmful or unintended response to a medication, and a sentinel event indicates an unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury. These options do not pertain to the unlawful removal or misuse of medication for personal purposes, which is why drug diversion remains the most fitting term in this context.