Support for ARNPs continues
Florida Tax Watch issued their annual report and again suggested removal of restrictions on ARNP practice. The report cites the December 2010 OPPAGA memo that shows if practice restrictions were removed, ARNPs would save the state millions annually. Read the report here. Page 52.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder released a report stating: The Office of Regulatory Reinvention (ORR), created earlier this year, is looking at ... various licensed occupations and supporting boards, to make sure that we are not excessively regulating our health occupations....Physician shortages, for example, are projected to range from 4,400 to 6,000 by the year 2020. It has been estimated that as a result of the ACA, the size of our shortages may quadruple. Should this estimate hold true, Michigan's physician shortage could be anywhere from 16,000 to 24,000 by 2020.
Resolving the issue requires that we take a look at how other members of the health care team can partner with the medical community to deliver those services. Understanding the role of physician extenders such as advanced practice nurses and physicians' assistants in the delivery of primary care services is critical to addressing access issues. The ability to more effectively utilize mid-level practitioners is limited, however, by our current regulatory system. Accordingly, I have asked ORR to work closely with the MDCH to develop and implement a strategic plan to address our current and anticipated shortages in the health care sector and identify the regulatory reform necessary to successfully posture Michigan for future needs. Read the entire report here page 17
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Together we can be victorious. PLEASE DONATE HERE to our secure donation site.
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PO BOX 602
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Thank You!
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Virtual lobby day is next week on Thursday, October 6th. I am asking every single SCAPN member to call Vern Buchanan and Senator Nelson and Senator Rubio. Instructions below. None of them are co-sponsors. We need their support. I will be in Denver. I have been asked to represent Florida on a panel (Plenary session for the American College of Nurse Practitioners) to discuss states facing regulatory challenges and states that have overcome local obstacles. Wish me luck - I'm a little nervous. I didn't know until after I accepted that it is being held in "Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3. So I think it will be a large crowd.
Please contact our legislators. It will be better for our patients if we can order Home Health.
Thank You everyone in advance, Cindy Drew
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E-FORCSE, Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is pleased to announce that on October 1, 2011, prescribers and dispensers may begin requesting access to the FL RxSentry database. The FL RxSentry database is a comprehensive electronic database system that has controlled substance prescriptions provided to it and that provides prescription information to a patient’s health care practitioner and pharmacist who inform the department that they wish the patient advisory report provided to them. Please visit http://www.hidinc.com/flpdmp and view the Practitioner and Pharmacist Training Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to request access, and how to request a patient advisory report.
On October 17, prescribers and dispensers may begin logging on to the FL RxSentry database to request patient advisory reports (PARs). A PAR is a reporting of a specific patient's controlled substance prescription history that is provided by the FL RxSentry database. PARs are for informational purposes only and imposes no obligations of any nature or any legal duty on a prescriber, dispenser, pharmacy, or patient. PARs are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil or administrative action against a prescriber, dispenser, pharmacy, or patient arising out of matters that are the subject of the report.
Health care practitioners are not required to access the database prior to prescribing or dispensing a controlled substance; however, physicians and pharmacists are encouraged to use the Patient Advisory Report (PAR), available in RxSentry, as a tool to improve patient care, confirm the patient’s prescription drug history, document compliance with a therapeutic regimen, and to identify potentially hazardous or fatal drug interactions. The PAR may also assist the health care practitioner to determine if a patient is “doctor shopping” or trying to obtain multiple prescriptions for controlled substances from multiple health care practitioners which is a felony in the State of Florida.
E-FORCSE will comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as it pertains to protected health information (PHI), electronic protected health information (EPHI), and all other relevant state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. The information collected in the system will be used by the PDMP to encourage safer prescribing of controlled substances and reduce drug abuse and diversion within the State of Florida.
If you require technical assistance with requesting access to the FL RxSentry database or requesting a Patient Advisory Report, please contact the FL PDMP helpdesk by telephone at (877) 719-3120 or via email at flpdmp-info@hidinc.com. The helpdesk is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
Erika L. Marshall l E-FORCSE Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program l Program Operations Administrator l 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C-16, Tallahassee, FL 32399 l Phone: 850-245-4797 l Fax: 850-617-6430 l Email: Erika_Marshall@doh.state.fl.us l www.e-forcse.com
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure.
Mission: To protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties.
Vision: A healthier future for the people of Florida.
