Cabell Huntington Hospital is joining hospitals across the state in understanding and implementing the WV Opioid Reduction Act that became effective June 7. This new legislation, introduced by Gov. Jim Justice in March, encourages providers to prescribe alternative methods of pain management such as physical therapy and other non-pharmacologic measures prior to prescribing opioid medications. It also limits the initial prescription of an opioid to a seven day supply at the lowest effective dose in most situations, and adds requirements for education and counseling.
The law now also mandates “narcotic contracts” for patients receiving ongoing opioid therapy. These contracts require patients use a single prescriber and pharmacy to obtain controlled substances. The patient must notify their prescriber within 72 hours of any emergency that requires an opioid (ER visit, for example). If the patient fails to honor the narcotic contract, the provider may terminate the patient/provider relationship or continue to treat the patient without prescribing an opioid.
If there is a need to issue a third prescription for an opioid for a patient, the provider must attempt to refer the patient to a pain clinic or pain specialist.
“Our number one priority is patient safety,” said Hoyt Burdick, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Cabell Huntington Hospital. “This new law stresses the use of alternative methods for pain management and redefines responsible prescribing of other Schedule II controlled substances.”
In addition, the new law limits the amount of opioids that can be prescribed in an emergency room setting to a four-day supply. The bill also limits prescribing Schedule II opioids for minors to a three-day supply with the additional requirement of documenting education and risks discussed with the parents or guardians.
“The law establishes new regulatory requirements for responsible opioid and controlled substance prescribing,” stated Dr. Burdick. “The potential benefit of these laws and any unintended consequences remain to be seen, but both Ohio and Kentucky previously passed similar laws.”
The bill does not apply to patients with cancer in hospice or end-of-life care, patients in long-term care or those with an existing provider-patient relationship established before January 1, where there is an established and current opioid treatment plan reflected in the patient’s medical record.
For questions or more information regarding the Opioid Reduction Act please visit www.wvlegislature.gov .
