Section 246-854-251. Consultation—Exemptions for exigent and special circumstances.

A physician assistant is not required to consult with a pain management specialist as described in WAC 246-854-253 when he or she has documented adherence to all standards of practice as defined in WAC 246-854-240 through 246-854-253 and when any one or more of the following conditions apply:

(1) The patient is following a tapering schedule; or

(2) The patient requires treatment for acute pain which may or may not include hospitalization, requiring a temporary escalation in opioid dosage, with expected return to or below their baseline dosage level; or

(3) The physician assistant documents reasonable attempts to obtain a consultation with a pain management specialist and the circumstances justifying prescribing above one hundred twenty milligrams morphine equivalent dose (MED) per day without first obtaining a consultation; or

(4) The physician assistant documents the patient's pain and function is stable and the patient is on a nonescalating dosage of opioids.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.57.285, 18.57A.090, 18.57.005, 18.57A.020. WSR 11-10-062, § 246-854-251, filed 5/2/11, effective 7/1/11.]

RCW 18.57.285, 18.57A.090, 18.57.005, 18.57A.020. WSR 11-10-062, § 246-854-251, filed 5/2/11, effective 7/1/11.

Rules

246-854-253,246-854-240,246-854-253,