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Board makes preliminary move to adopt CDC opioid policy
At its September meeting, the Board tentatively decided to phase out its existing opioid prescribing policy and replace it with the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. The Board is expected to give its final approval to the change at the Board meeting scheduled for January 18-20.
The Board adopted a comprehensive opioid prescribing policy in June 2014. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published its opioid prescribing guidance in March 2016. Although the policies differ in some respects, the Board considers the two to be comparable resources. NCMB began evaluating the CDC guidance shortly after it was published, in the interest of ensuring the Board provides licensees with the most current information and recommended practices for safe and responsible use of opioids for the treatment of pain.
If finally approved by the Board, the following position statement will replace the existing Policy for the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain.
Policy for the use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain
The Board believes that a fundamental component of good medical practice includes the appropriate evaluation and management of pain. Responsibly prescribed opioid medications may help North Carolina licensees treat their patients' pain safely and effectively, and improve their quality of life. It is the duty of any licensee prescribing opioid medications for the treatment of pain to be knowledgeable of both the therapeutic benefits and potential health risks associated with an opioid treatment regimen. As in any medical context, the Board expects any licensee prescribing opioids for the treatment of pain to provide diagnoses, treatments, and medical record documentation that is consistent with the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice in North Carolina. Failure to provide care that meets that standard may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the Board.
The Board has previously attempted to provide guidance regarding opioid treatment of pain to its licensees through guidance documents generated and maintained by the Board. However, in order to provide its licensees with guidance that reflects the most current medical and scientific research and recommended practices, the Board has decided to adopt and endorse the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain written and maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Click here to find the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.
In addition to its Guideline, the CDC has also provided a number of useful clinician resources related to opioid treatment of pain covering topics such as Non opioid Treatments, Assessing Benefits and Harms, Calculating Dosage, and Tapering.
Click here to find these documents.
It is the Board's hope that familiarity with the concepts included in the documents above will help licensees provide safe and effective care for their patients.
The Board adopted a comprehensive opioid prescribing policy in June 2014. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published its opioid prescribing guidance in March 2016. Although the policies differ in some respects, the Board considers the two to be comparable resources. NCMB began evaluating the CDC guidance shortly after it was published, in the interest of ensuring the Board provides licensees with the most current information and recommended practices for safe and responsible use of opioids for the treatment of pain.
If finally approved by the Board, the following position statement will replace the existing Policy for the Use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain.
Policy for the use of Opioids for the Treatment of Pain
The Board believes that a fundamental component of good medical practice includes the appropriate evaluation and management of pain. Responsibly prescribed opioid medications may help North Carolina licensees treat their patients' pain safely and effectively, and improve their quality of life. It is the duty of any licensee prescribing opioid medications for the treatment of pain to be knowledgeable of both the therapeutic benefits and potential health risks associated with an opioid treatment regimen. As in any medical context, the Board expects any licensee prescribing opioids for the treatment of pain to provide diagnoses, treatments, and medical record documentation that is consistent with the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice in North Carolina. Failure to provide care that meets that standard may subject the licensee to disciplinary action by the Board.
The Board has previously attempted to provide guidance regarding opioid treatment of pain to its licensees through guidance documents generated and maintained by the Board. However, in order to provide its licensees with guidance that reflects the most current medical and scientific research and recommended practices, the Board has decided to adopt and endorse the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain written and maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Click here to find the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.
In addition to its Guideline, the CDC has also provided a number of useful clinician resources related to opioid treatment of pain covering topics such as Non opioid Treatments, Assessing Benefits and Harms, Calculating Dosage, and Tapering.
Click here to find these documents.
It is the Board's hope that familiarity with the concepts included in the documents above will help licensees provide safe and effective care for their patients.