The advanced registered nurse practitioner shall comply with the requirements in this section when prescribing opioid analgesics for subacute pain and shall document completion of these requirements in the patient record.

(1) Prior to prescribing an opioid for subacute pain, the advanced registered nurse practitioner shall:

(a) Conduct an appropriate history and physical examination or review and update the patient's existing history and examination taken during the acute nonoperative or acute perioperative phase;

(b) Evaluate the nature and intensity of the pain;

(c) Inquire about other medications the patient is prescribed or taking including type, dosage, and quantity prescribed;

(d) Conduct, or cause the practitioner's authorized designee as defined in WAC 246-470-050 to conduct, a query of the prescription monitoring program (PMP) in accordance with the provisions of WAC 246-840-4990, to identify any Schedule II-V medications or drugs of concern received by the patient, and document their review and any concerns;

(e) Screen and document the patient's potential for high-risk behavior and adverse events related to opioid therapy. If the advanced registered nurse practitioner determines the patient is high-risk, consider lower dose therapy, shorter intervals between prescriptions, more frequent visits, increased biological specimen testing, and prescribing rescue naloxone;

(f) Obtain a biological specimen test if the patient's function is deteriorating or if pain is escalating; and

(g) Screen or refer the patient for further consultation for psychosocial factors that may be impairing recovery including, but not limited to, depression or anxiety.

(2) The advanced registered nurse practitioner treating a patient for subacute pain with opioids shall ensure that, at a minimum, the following are documented in the patient record:

(a) The presence of one or more recognized diagnoses or indications for the use of opioid pain medication;

(b) The observed significant and documented improvement in function or pain control forming the basis to continue prescribing opioid analgesics beyond the acute pain episode;

(c) The result of any queries of the PMP;

(d) All medications the patient is known to be prescribed or taking;

(e) An appropriate pain treatment plan, including the consideration of, or attempts to use, nonpharmacological modalities and nonopioid therapy;

(f) Results of any aberrant biological specimen testing results and the risk-benefit analysis if opioids are to be continued;

(g) Results of screening or referral for further consultation for psychosocial factors that may be impairing recovery including, but not limited to, depression or anxiety;

(h) Results of screening for the patient's level of risk for aberrant behavior and adverse events related to opioid therapy;

(i) The risk-benefit analysis of any combination of prescribed opioid and benzodiazepines or sedative-hypnotics, if applicable; and

(j) All other required components of the patient record, as established in statute or rule.

(3) Follow-up visits for pain control must include objectives or metrics to be used to determine treatment success if opioids are to be continued. This includes, at a minimum:

(a) Change in pain level;

(b) Change in physical function;

(c) Change in psychosocial function; and

(d) Additional planned diagnostic evaluations or other treatments.