216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-20-20-5.2

Current through November 7, 2024

Section 216-RICR-20-20-5.2 - Definitions

A. Wherever used in these Regulations, the following terms shall be construed as follows:

1. "BHDDH" means the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.

2. "Department" means the Rhode Island Department of Health.

3. "Director" means the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

4. "Healthcare professional" means a physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in Rhode Island, who is authorized to prescribe drugs or any pharmacists licensed in Rhode Island authorized to dispense drugs.

5. "Opioid" means any synthetic or natural opiate listed in R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28-2.08.

6. "Opioid antagonist" means a drug used to reverse the effects of opioids, such a naloxone hydrochloride, commonly referred to as naloxone or by the brand name Narcan, which is a competitive antagonist that binds to opioid receptors with higher affinity than agonists but does not activate the receptors. For the purposes of this Part, opioid antagonist does not include any drugs, such as naltrexone hydrochloride, used for addiction treatment.

7. "Opioid-related drug overdose" means, as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 1621-35, a condition including, but not limited to, extreme physical illness, decreased level of consciousness, respiratory depression, coma, or death resulting from the consumption or use of an opioid, or another substance with which an opioid was combined, or that a layperson would reasonably believe to be an opioid-related drug overdose that requires medical assistance. This would include any condition for which there is a clinical suspicion for an opioid-related drug overdose (respiratory depression, unconsciousness, altered mental status) and/or for which there is either a urine toxicology screen positive for opioids or negative urine toxicology screen without other conditions to explain the clinical condition.

8. "Patient" means a person who has experienced or is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose.

9. "Patient information" includes but is not limited to information provided to the patient on:

a. Drug overdose prevention and recognition;

b. How to perform rescue breathing and resuscitation;

c. Opioid antidote dosage and administration;

d. The importance of calling 911;

e. Care for the overdose victim after administration of the overdose antidote; and

f. Other issues as necessary.

10. "Person at risk of experiencing an opioid-related drug overdose" includes but is not limited to a person for whom one (1) or more of the following applies:

a. Has ever received emergency medical care involving opioid intoxication or opioid-related drug overdose;

b. Has a suspected history of substance use or use disorder or non medical opioid use, including a history of treatment or a referral for treatment;

c. Is prescribed methadone or buprenorphine;

d. Is receiving an opioid prescription for pain and one (1) or more of the following applies:

(1) Is given a higher dose of opioids (greater than fifty (50) mg morphine equivalent per day);

(2) Has rotated from one opioid to another because of possible incomplete cross tolerance;

(3) Has concurrent smoking, COPD, emphysema, asthma, sleep apnea, respiratory infection, or other respiratory illness or potential obstruction;

(4) Has pre-existing renal dysfunction, hepatic disease, cardiac illness, HIV/AIDS;

(5) Has known or suspected concurrent alcohol or cocaine use;

(6) Has concurrent use of a benzodiazepine or other sedative prescription or who has a history of illicit benzodiazepine use;

(7) Is concurrently taking a prescription antidepressant.

e. May have difficulty accessing emergency medical services.

216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-20-20-5.2

Amended effective 7/26/2022