PDFWAC 246-817-930

Written agreement for treatment.

The dentist shall use a written agreement for treatment with the patient who requires long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain that outlines the patient's responsibilities. This written agreement for treatment must include:
(1) The patient's agreement to provide biological samples for biological specimen testing when requested by the dentist;
(2) The patient's agreement to take medications at the dose and frequency prescribed with a specific protocol for lost prescriptions and early refills or renewals. "Refill" or "renewal" means a second or subsequent filling of a previously issued prescription that is authorized to be dispensed when the patient has exhausted their current supply. For the purposes of WAC 246-817-901 through 246-817-980, refills or renewals are subject to the same limitation and requirements as initial prescriptions;
(3) Reasons for which opioid therapy may be discontinued such as, but not limited to, violation of agreement;
(4) The requirement that all chronic opioid prescriptions are provided by a single prescriber, a single clinic, or multidisciplinary pain clinic;
(5) The requirement that all chronic opioid prescriptions are to be dispensed by a single pharmacy or pharmacy system whenever possible;
(6) The patient's agreement to not abuse substances that can put the patient at risk for adverse outcomes;
(7) A written authorization for:
(a) The dentist to release the agreement for treatment to:
(i) Local emergency departments;
(ii) Urgent care facilities;
(iii) Other practitioners caring for the patient who might prescribe pain medications; and
(iv) Pharmacies.
(b) The dentist to release the agreement to other practitioners so other practitioners can report violations of the agreement to the dentist treating the patient's chronic pain and to the PMP.
(8) Acknowledgment that it is the patient's responsibility to safeguard all medications and keep them in a secure location; and
(9) Acknowledgment that if the patient violates the terms of the agreement, the violation and the dentist's response to the violation will be documented, as well as the rationale for changes in the treatment plan.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.002, 18.32.0365, 18.32.800 and 2017 c 297. WSR 19-02-043, § 246-817-930, filed 12/26/18, effective 1/26/19. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.32.785 and 18.32.0365. WSR 11-10-061, § 246-817-930, filed 5/2/11, effective 7/1/11.]