060-00-17 Ark. Code R. § 8

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024

Rule 060.00.17-008 - Regulation 41 Governing use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

A. Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 20-7-604(d), healthcare providers are encouraged to access or check the information in the controlled substance database before prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. For purposes of this Regulation a healthcare provider is defined as a "physician" or "physician assistant".

B. A healthcare provider shall check the information in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing:

1. An opioid from Schedule II or Schedule III for every time prescribing the medication to a patient; and

2. A benzodiazepine medication for the first time prescribing the medication to a patient.

C. This Regulation does not apply to the following:

1. A healthcare provider administering a controlled substance:

i. Immediately before or during surgery;

ii. During recovery from a surgery while in a healthcare facility;

iii. In a healthcare facility; or

iv. Necessary to treat a patient in an emergency situation at the scene of an emergency, in a licensed ground ambulance or air ambulance, or in the intensive care unit of a licensed hospital;

2. A healthcare provider prescribing or administering a controlled substance to:

i. A palliative care or hospice patient; or

ii. A resident in a licensed nursing home facility; or

3. Situations in which the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is not accessible due to technological or electrical failure.

D. A licensed oncologist shall check the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program when prescribing to a patient on an initial malignant episodic diagnosis and every three (3) months following the diagnosis while continuing treatment.

E. A healthcare provider must document in the patient record that the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program was checked.

F. A healthcare provider who purposely fails to access the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program as required is subject to disciplinary action by the Arkansas State Medical Board.

060.00.17 Ark. Code R. § 008

10/6/2017