|
|
WASHINGTON
Source: Provided by the Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission
Effective date: December 3, 1999
Pain Management
WAC 246-919-800 Purpose. (1) The medical quality assurance commission recognizes
that effective pain management is an essential component of quality medical care and that
no single approach to the treatment of pain is exclusively correct.
(2) The commission wishes to reassure
practitioners that they need not fear disciplinary action from the commission for
prescribing, dispensing, or administering opioids when treating pain so long as the care
provided is consistent with currently acceptable medical practices. This includes acute,
chronic and intractable pain (RCW 69.50.308(g)).
(3) While many other medications may be
appropriate in the treatment of pain, these regulations specifically address the use of
opioids. As used in these regulations, the term opioid means any natural or synthetic
medication that has morphine like activity.
WAC 246-919-810 What specific guidance should a practitioner follow? (1) The
commission has adopted guidelines for the management of pain in order to acquaint
practitioners with recognized national standards in the field of pain treatment.
(2) These guidelines specifically address the
patient evaluation and treatment plan, informed consent, periodic reviews, use of
consultations, and the necessity for maintaining accurate and complete medical records.
(3) These guidelines may be revised from time
to time to reflect changes in the practice of pain management.
(4) Practitioners who cannot or choose not to
treat patients who have complex or chronic pain conditions should offer appropriate
referrals for those patients.
WAC 246-919-820 What knowledge should a practitioner possess to treat pain patients?
Practitioners treating pain should be:
(1) Knowledgeable about the complex nature of pain;
(2) Familiar with the pain treatment terms used in the commission’s pain treatment
guidelines; and
(3) Knowledgeable about acceptable pain treatment modalities.
WAC 246-919-830 How will the commission evaluate prescribing for pain? (1) The
practitioner’s treatment will be evaluated by a review of the provided care to see if
it is clinically sound and in accordance with currently acceptable medical practice
regarding the treatment of pain.
(2) No disciplinary action will be taken
against a practitioner based solely on the quantity and/or frequency of opioids
prescribed.