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PRESCRIPTION OF THE MONTH |
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Charles
Malmquist, 770.913.1201 Paul Tuggle, CPCU 770.913.1208 |
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John Lowden 770.913.1209 Ron
Cuen Kevin
Chojnacki |
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Senate Bill 480 was signed into law 7/1/06 and introduces new legislation regarding Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Part of the bill focuses on Community Living Arrangements and the remainder of the new law details the ability of an APRN to prescribe and dispense medication. The Senate proposed the law to create greater access to healthcare. The law gives the Medical Board authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing a physician about the new law, and to review and approve filed nurse protocols. Currently, the Medical Board has not adopted rules regarding nurse protocol agreements (NPA). Once rules are adopted, NPAs may need to be re-filed by the licensed physician. The new law does not apply to the practice of CRNAs. APRN Prescribing Privileges A physician may delegate to an APRN the authority to order drugs, medical devices, medical treatments, diagnostic studies, or in life-threatening situations, radiographic imaging tests, in accordance with a nurse protocol agreement. An APRN may register with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, but may not issue drug orders for Schedule I or II controlled substances or authorize refills of any drug for more than 12 months from the date of the original order. Oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, or prenatal vitamins may be refilled for a period of 24 months. Under a nurse protocol agreement, an APRN may request, receive, sign, and distribute professional samples to patients. The facility must maintain a list of professional samples approved by the physician for request, receipt, and distribution as well as a complete list of the specific number and dosage of each sample and medication voucher received and dispensed. Nurse Protocol Agreements Written
agreements will be required by the Board that outlines the authority given to an
APRN to perform certain medical acts. The agreements must identify the parameters to be performed, including the number of refills, kinds of diagnostic studies, andcircumstances under which a prescription drug may be executed. The agreement must include a schedule for periodic review of patient records by the physician and provide for patient evaluation or follow-up exams by the physician; the frequency of such evaluation to be based on nature, extent, and scope of delegated acts and accepted standards of medical practice as determined by the Board. The agreement will need to be reviewed, revised, or updated annually by the APRN and the physician, and will need to beavailable to the Georgia Board of Nursing and the Medical Board. Provide that a patient receiving a prescription for controlled substances be evaluated or examined by the physician at least quarterly and possibly more frequently. The code does not require an APRN to enter a nurse protocol agreement in order to practice as permitted by Article 1 of Chapter 26. Limitations of APRN to Physician Ratio A delegating physician may enter into nurse protocol agreements with no more than 4 APRNs, with exceptions made for licensed hospitals, colleges, and a few others. The code makes it unlawful for an APRN to employ a delegating physician, when the physician is required to supervise the APRN. Please contact your agent with any questions or for related resources.
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APRN
Legislation- |
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900 Ashwood Parkway | Suite 100 | Atlanta, GA 30338 | Main 770.399.6760 | Fax 770.399.6647 | www.potterholden.com |
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October 2006 |
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The information contained above is intended to be illustrative and
discusses general insurance issues. It is not designed to give any
specific legal advice pertaining to any specific circumstance. It is not
intended as a policy of insurance, binder, or state of coverage or as an
amendment, modification or waiver of the terms and conditions of any policy of
insurance. In every instance, a policy is the only accepted statement of
coverage, and it is important to read and understand your policy. Contact your
agent if you have questions regarding your coverage. |
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