WAC 246-840-460 through 246-840-4990 govern the use of opioids in the treatment of pain in the acute, perioperative, subacute, and chronic phases. Treatment modalities including opioid use can serve to improve the quality of life for those patients who suffer from pain, as well as reduce the morbidity and costs associated with undertreatment or inappropriate treatment of pain. For the purpose of these rules, the inappropriate treatment of pain includes nontreatment, undertreatment, overtreatment, and the continued use of ineffective treatments. In addition to these rules, the nursing commission recommends practitioners adhere to applicable state agency medical directors' group (AMDG) and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the treatment of pain in all phases.