Controlled Substances:
Legal Issues and Responsibilities
A seminar for Non-Physician Practitioners Who Administer or Prescribe.
Objectives
It has been our experience that a great number of health care professionals who have responsibilities involving controlled substances are unaware of the importance of the legal hazards associated with the failure to comply with federal and state controlled substance laws and regulations.
These health care professionals include Nurse Practitioners, CRNAs, Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurses and Physician Assistants who either prescribe and/or administer controlled substances as part of their daily job responsibilities. Failing to comply with federal and state controlled substance laws and regulations can have a drastic effect on a practitioner's ability to continue to practice in the expanded role.
We have also found that a certain percentage of health care professionals who have access to controlled substances, abuse them. We consider drug addiction an occupational hazard among health care professionals.
Health care professionals cannot consistently divert drugs if an institution has adequate physical security and an effective record keeping system with a comprehensive audit trail. Most health care professionals are also unaware of the magnitude of the legal hazards associated with failing to provide adequate security and maintain complete and accurate records with respect to controlled substances.
This program will examine the legal issues and responsibilities associated with the prescribing and administering of controlled substances by non-physician practitioners. Licensure requirements and professional practice issues will be examined, as well as federal and state laws relating to controlled substance record keeping, security and accountability. You will learn how controlled substances are diverted and the health care institution's exposure relating to such diversion. Common controlled substance record keeping, security and prescriptive practice problems will be examined and different methods to tighten controls, assure regulatory compliance and promote safe practice with regard to controlled substances will be addressed.
Speakers: Robert J. Fairneny, President
Call us at (617) 325-6000 or e-mail us to learn about this seminar and other seminars and inservice presentations that we can provide to your institution or group.