060.00.17 Ark. Code R. 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.

Notes

060.00.17 Ark. Code R. 008

10/6/2017