Update Feb. 21:
Thanks to Texas Medical Association advocacy, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) today refocused its guidance on when physicians will be required to check the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) when prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol to a patient who is admitted to a facility, such as an emergency department or hospital.
Original story:
If you prescribe opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or carisoprodol, you’re probably aware that you must set up an account with the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) before March 1.
After that date, you will be required to check the PMP, known as PMP Aware, before prescribing any of those medications.
But what happens when a patient is admitted to a facility, such as an ambulatory surgical center, emergency department, or hospital? Will you be required to check PMP Aware upon admission? What if you need to prescribe those medications while the patient is in that facility?
The Texas Medical Board issued guidance on those very questions this week. (Spoiler alert: You have to check the PMP ASAP, but one time is sufficient during the stay.)
According to TMB:
- “In an emergency setting, the PMP should be checked at the earliest opportunity with medication reconciliation once there is patient stabilization; and
- “Upon admission into a facility for inpatient care a PMP check and verification must be conducted by the attending physician. Once the PMP check has been validated and documented in the medical record, it would be deemed a sufficient PMP check for the duration of the inpatient care until discharge.”
Be aware, though, that if you’re prescribing medications to be taken home upon discharge, “as opposed to ordering medication for immediate inpatient care, then a PMP check will be required,” TMB said.
So there you have it.
If you have more questions about this or anything related to the PMP, check out the new PMP section on the Texas Medical Association website.