Colleagues:
1. The Board of Pharmacy has changed the schedule status of tramadol to a Schedule IV. If you prescribe this drug you will need a DEA number and will not be able to use e–script unless your EHR has secured controlled substance software starting 9/1/2014. Please see following link for details: http://pharmacy.ohio.gov/Documents/Notices/Tramadol%20Is%20A%20Schedule%20IV%20Controlled%20Substance%20In%20Ohio%20Effective%20September%201,%202014.pdf
2. Kasich Executive Order Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer MMR Vaccine Gov. John Kasich Monday signed Executive Order (EO) 2014-04K to authorize licensed pharmacists to administer the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to individuals 18 years and older, “in order to provide those adults who have not yet received this vaccination with additional opportunities to obtain the MMR vaccine,” his office explained in a”Executive Order 2014-04K is in response to recent outbreaks of mumps and measles in Ohio. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that, nationwide, the current measles outbreak is the largest outbreak of this disease in the U.S. since 1994, and states that the MMR vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent the measles and the mumps,” Kasich’s statement continued.As noted in the order, the Ohio Department of Health is currently investigating more than 400 probable and confirmed mumps cases in Athens, Belmont, Clark, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Muskingum, Pickaway, Ross, Union and Warren counties. In addition, the department is looking into more than 230 probable and confirmed measles cases in Ashland, Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Richland and Wayne counties.As a result, Kasich’s executive order on Monday( 6/9/2014) finds that an emergency exists in the state, warranting putting the proposed rule regarding the MMR vaccine from the Board of Pharmacy into effect immediately. Pharmacists are already authorized to administer other vaccines, including pneumonia, tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, meningitis, diphtheria, influenza and pertussis, to persons 18 years and older, with the board given the ability to expand that list to other immunizations.
Story originally published in The Hannah Report on June 9, 2014. Copyright 2014 Hannah News Service, Inc.
Despite the opposition of OAAPN, ONA, OSMA and ODA (Dentists) language was adopted into law which will require ALL providers who order a test for Lyme Disease to providethe patient or patient’s representative with a written notice of why this test was ordered. Listed below is the new language which will become law 90 days after the Governor signs the bill which will be incorporated into the Nurse Practice Act:
Sec. 4723.433. When an advanced practice registered nurse orders a test for the presence of Lyme disease in a patient, the nurse or nurse’s delegate shall provide to the patient or patient’s representative a written notice with the following information:
“Your health care provider has ordered a test for the presence of Lyme disease. Current testing for Lyme disease can be problematic and may lead to false results. If you are tested for Lyme disease and the results are positive, this does not necessarily mean that you have contracted Lyme disease. In the alternative, if the results are negative, this does not necessarily mean that you have not contracted Lyme disease. If you continue to experience symptoms or have other health concerns, you should contact your health care provider and inquire about the appropriateness of additional testing or treatment.”
The nurse or nurse’s delegate shall obtain a signature from the patient or patient’s representative indicating receipt of the notice. The document containing the signature shall be kept in the patient’s record.
Mary Jane Maloney MSN CNP
Director, Government relations Committee
OAAPN