Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING
Chapter 246-922 - Podiatric physicians and surgeons
OPIOID PRESCRIBING FOR SUBACUTE PAIN
Section 246-922-710 - Subacute pain

(1) The podiatric physician shall recognize the progression of a patient from the acute nonoperative or acute perioperative phase to the subacute phase and take into consideration the risks and benefits of continued opioid prescribing for the patient.

(2) If tapering has not begun prior to the six- to twelve-week subacute phase, the podiatric physician shall reevaluate the patient who does not follow the expected course of recovery. If documented improvement in function or pain control has not occurred, the podiatric physician shall reconsider the continued use of opioids or whether tapering or discontinuing the use of opioids is clinically indicated. The podiatric physician shall make reasonable attempts to discontinue the use of opioids prescribed for the acute pain event by no later than the twelve-week conclusion of the subacute phase.

(3) If the podiatric physician prescribes opioids for effective pain control, such prescription shall be in no greater quantity than needed for the expected duration of pain severe enough to require opioids. During the subacute phase, the podiatric physician shall not prescribe beyond a fourteen-day supply of opioids without clinical documentation to justify the need for such a quantity.

(4) If the podiatric physician elects to prescribe a combination of opioids with a medication listed in WAC 246-922-775 or prescribes opioids to a patient known to be receiving a medication listed in WAC 246-922-775 from another practitioner, the podiatric physician shall prescribe in accordance with WAC 246-922-775.

(5) If the podiatric physician elects to treat a patient with opioids beyond the six- to twelve-week subacute phase, the podiatric physician shall document in the patient record that the patient is transitioning from subacute pain to chronic pain. Rules governing the treatment of chronic pain in WAC 246-922-715 through 246-922-760 shall apply.