WAC 246-919-800   Purpose.  (1) The medical quality assurance commission recognizes that effective pain management is an essential component of quality medical care and that no single approach to the treatment of pain is exclusively correct.

     (2) The commission wishes to reassure practitioners that they need not fear disciplinary action from the commission for prescribing, dispensing, or administering opioids when treating pain so long as the care provided is consistent with currently acceptable medical practices. This includes acute, chronic and intractable pain (RCW 69.50.308(g)).

     (3) While many other medications may be appropriate in the treatment of pain, these regulations specifically address the use of opioids. As used in these regulations, the term opioid means any natural or synthetic medication that has morphine like activity.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.71.017, 18.130.050(1) and (12) and18.130.340 . 99-22-090, § 246-919-800, filed 11/2/99, effective 12/3/99.]