Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0940-05-42-.12 - SPECIAL POPULATIONS

(1) The OTP shall ensure that physicians are knowledgeable in the management of opioid dependence in a context of chronic pain and pain management. The OTP may not prohibit a service recipient diagnosed with chronic pain from receiving medication-assisted therapy for either maintenance or withdrawal in a program setting.

(a) The OTP shall ensure continuity of care and communication between programs or physicians regarding service recipients receiving treatment in both an opioid treatment program and a facility or physician's office for purposes of pain management, with service recipient consent.

(b) If the service recipient refuses consent for the two entities to communicate and coordinate care, the OTP shall document refusal and may make clinically appropriate decisions regarding take-home medication privileges, an increase in counseling, and continuation in treatment.

(2) The OTP shall ensure that service recipients with mental health needs are identified through the evaluation process and referred to appropriate treatment.

(a) The OTP shall monitor service recipients during withdrawal to identify the emergence of symptoms of mental illness.

(b) The OTP shall establish linkages with mental health providers in the community.

(3) The Facility shall have a policy regarding treatment of co-morbid disorders such as psychiatric and medical disorders. The goal of the treatment shall be to provide treatment for these disorders in as seamless a fashion as possible, maximizing service recipient convenience and compliance with appointments and recommendations. The Facility shall ensure a smooth referral process and interchange of information.

(4) The OTP shall address abuse of alcohol and other non-opioid substances within the context of the medication-assisted therapy effort.

(a) The Facility shall ensure that staff is trained and knowledgeable regarding current effective strategies for treating abuse of alcohol, opioids, methadone, amphetamines, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines and other drugs.

(b) Ongoing multi-drug use is not necessarily a reason for discharge unless the service recipient refuses recommended, more intensive levels of care, to include but not be limited to intensive outpatient and residential clinical treatment. The treatment team shall consider the service recipient's condition and address the situation from an individualized clinical perspective.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0940-05-42-.12

Original rule filed June 8, 1999; effective August 22, 1999. Per Executive Order 44 (February 23, 2007), rule was transferred from 1200-08-21 on May 15, 2008. Repeal and new rule filed September 20, 2012; effective December 19, 2012.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-3-1601, 4-4-103, 33-1-302, 33-1-305, 33-1-309, 33-2-301, 33-2-302, and 33-2-404.