Section 63-1-401 - Part definitions - Development of recommended treatment guidelines for prescribing opioids - Development of pain clinic guidelines - Study of co-prescription of naloxone with opioid - Review of guidelines - Notification of licensees(a) As used in this part:(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health;(2) "Pain clinic guidelines" means systematically developed standards to assist healthcare providers and pain clinic certificate holders in making decisions concerning the appropriate medical care for chronic nonmalignant pain treatment, as defined in § 63-1-301; and(3) "Treatment guidelines" means systematically developed statements to assist healthcare providers in making patient decisions concerning appropriate medical care for specific clinical circumstances and settings.(b) By January 1, 2016, the commissioner shall develop recommended treatment guidelines for prescribing opioids that can be used by prescribers in this state as a guide for caring for patients. This subsection (b) shall not apply to veterinarians.(c) By January 1, 2017, the commissioner shall develop recommended pain clinic standards for the operation of a pain management clinic, as defined in § 63-1-301, that can be used by certified pain clinics in this state as a guide for operating a pain clinic. This subsection (c) shall not apply to veterinarians.(d) By January 1, 2020, the commissioner shall:(1) Study instances when co-prescribing of naloxone with an opioid is beneficial and publish the results to each prescribing board that licenses healthcare professionals who can legally prescribe controlled substances and to the board of pharmacy; and(2) Include the findings in the treatment guidelines for prescribing opioids developed pursuant to subsection (b).(e) The commissioner shall review treatment guidelines and the pain clinic guidelines by September 30 of each year and shall cause these guidelines to be posted on the department's website.(f) The treatment guidelines shall be submitted to each prescribing board that licenses health professionals who can legally prescribe controlled substances and to the board of pharmacy. Each board shall be charged with reviewing the treatment guidelines and determining how the treatment guidelines should be used by that board's licensees.(g) The pain clinic guidelines shall be submitted to each board that licenses individuals eligible to hold a pain clinic certificate for review and concurrence.(h) Each board shall notify all of its licensees through routine bulletins or newsletters of the existence of the guidelines and standards.Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 327, s 1, eff. 5/8/2019.Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 475, s 6, eff. 7/1/2015.Added by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 430, s 2, eff. 5/16/2013.