N.H. Admin. Code § Opt 504.04 - Acute Pain

If opioids are indicated and clinically appropriate for prescription for acute pain, prescribing licensees shall:

(a) Conduct and document a physical examination and history;

(b) Consider the patient's risk for opioid misuse, abuse, or diversion and prescribe for the lowest effective dose for a limited duration;

(c) Document the prescription and rationale for all opioids;

(d) Ensure that the patient has been provided information that contains the following:

(1) Risk of side effects, including addiction and overdose resulting in death;

(2) Risks of keeping unused medication;

(3) Options for safely securing and disposing of unused medication; and

(4) Danger in operating motor vehicle or heavy machinery;

(e) Comply with all federal and state controlled substances laws, rules, and regulations;

(f) Complete a board-approved risk assessment tool, such as the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP);

(g) Document an appropriate pain treatment plan and consideration of non-pharmacological modalities and non-opioid therapy;

(h) Utilize a written informed consent that explains the following risks associated with opioids:

(1) Addiction;

(2) Overdose and death;

(3) Physical dependence;

(4) Physical side effects;

(5) Hyperalgesia;

(6) Tolerance; and

(7) Crime victimization;

(i) In an emergency department, urgent care setting, or walk-in clinic:

(1) Not prescribe more than the minimum amount of opioids medically necessary to treat the patient's medical condition. In most cases, an opioid prescription of 3 or fewer days is sufficient, but a licensee shall not prescribe for more than 7 days; and

(2) If prescribing an opioid for acute pain that exceeds a board-approved limit, document the medical condition and appropriate clinical rationale in the patient's medical record; and

(j) Not be obligated to prescribe opioids for more than 30 days, but if opioids are indicated and appropriate for persistent, unresolved acute pain that extends beyond a period of 30 days, the licensee shall conduct an in-office follow-up with the patient prior to issuing a new opioid prescription.

Notes

N.H. Admin. Code § Opt 504.04

Derived from Volume XXXVII Number 2, Filed January 12, 2017, Proposed by #12060, Effective 1/1/2017, Expires 1/1/2027.