Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-853 WAC (osteopathic physicians) and chapter 246-854 WAC (osteopathic physician assistants), pain management. The board of osteopathic medicine and surgery is considering amending the chapter to repeal existing pain management sections and adopt a new section(s) for management of chronic, noncancerous pain.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: ESHB 2876, section 3, chapter 209, Laws of 2010, amending chapters 18.57 and 18.57A RCW.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESHB 2876, chapter 209, Laws of 2010, directs the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery to repeal existing pain management sections and adopt new rules on management of chronic, noncancerous pain. The rules must include dosing criteria, guidance on when to seek consultations with pain management specialists, tracking clinical progress, and tracking the use of opioids.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None known.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Erin Obenland, Program Manager, Washington State Department of Health, Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 236-4945, fax (360) 236-2406, erin.obenland@doh.wa.gov. Interested stakeholders may join the pain management listserv at http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=WA-PAIN-MGT-PRESCRIBING-RULES&A=1, or the board's listserv at http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Osteopath/default.htm. Stakeholders can participate through stakeholder meetings and provide comments on the interested parties listserv, fax, or e-mail.

June 17, 2010

Blake T. Maresh

Executive Director

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