New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Nur - Board of Nursing (Formerly the Board of Nursing Education and Nurse Registration)
Chapter Nur 500 - ETHICAL STANDARDS
Part Nur 502 - OPIOID PRESCRIBING
Section Nur 502.04 - Acute Pain

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules Nur 502.04

Current through Register No. 12, March 21, 2024

If opioids are indicated and clinically appropriate for prescription for acute pain, prescribing licensees shall:

(a) Conduct and document a physical examination and history;

(b) Prescribe the lowest effective dose for a limited duration;

(c) Document the prescription and rationale for all opioids;

(d) Ensure that the patient has been provided information that contains the following:

(1) Risk of side effects, including addiction and overdose resulting in death;

(2) Risks of keeping unused medication;

(3) Options for safely securing and disposing of unused medication; and

(4) Danger in operating motor vehicle or heavy machinery;

(e) Comply with all federal and state controlled substance laws, rules and regulations;

(f) Conduct and document a risk assessment, such as the evidence-based screening tool Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain (SOAPP);

(g) Document an appropriate treatment plan and consideration of non-pharmacological modalities and non-opioid therapy;

(h) Utilize a written informed consent that explains the following risks associated with opioids:

(1) Addiction;

(2) Overdose and death;

(3) Physical dependence;

(4) Physical side effects;

(5) Hyperalgesia;

(5) Tolerance; and

(6) Crime victimization;

(i) In an emergency department, urgent care setting, or walk-in clinic:

(1) Not prescribe more than the minimum amount of opioids medically necessary to treat the patient's medical condition. In most cases, an opioid prescription of 3 or fewer days is sufficient, but a licensee shall not prescribe for more than 7 days; and

(2) If prescribing an opioid for acute pain that exceeds a board-approved limit, document the medical condition and appropriate clinical rationale in the patient's medical record; and

(j) Not be obligated to prescribe opioids for more than 30 days, but if opioids are indicated and appropriate for persistent, unresolved acute pain that extends beyond a period of 30 days, the licensee shall conduct an in-office follow-up with the patient prior to issuing a new opioid prescription.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Hampshire may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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