Back to Press Releases

February 10, 2011

Florida Medical Directors Association (FMDA) made a big step by becoming the first medical society in Florida to advocate for nurse-practitioner and physician-assistant prescribing authority for controlled substances. The members and leadership of FMDA understand that ARNPs and PAs are often the “front line” health-care providers for patients in the long-term-care community, where pain medications are often indicated. The inability of these health-care providers to prescribe controlled substances can affect the timely administration of medications for the relief of pain and other medical conditions. This has the potential to impact the quality of life for this vulnerable group of patients.

FMDA’s position regarding ARNP/PA prescribing authority recommends that, with the written permission of his or her collaborating/supervising physician(s) and successful completion of mandatory continuing education, ARNPs and PAs be granted the legal authority to prescribe controlled substances in long-term-care settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home care, assisted living, residential care, and hospice programs. These settings are very well-regulated and controlled by current federal and state governance, as well as other credentialing organizations. Individual physicians would ultimately decide which, if any, controlled substances could be prescribed by which, if any, ARNPs and PAs in their practice. Hence, this would be an option, not a mandate. Furthermore, individual ARNPs/PAs would not be required to pursue DEA licensure.

FMDA President Dr. Hugh Thomas views this position statement as a positive step for improved access and quality of care for patients in long-term-care settings. “It is the view of FMDA that the highest quality of care be given to our residents in long-term care,” he says. “Furthermore, collaboration between the inter-disciplinary team has never been more important. This is why, for the interest of our patients, that we support prescribing authority for controlled substances by nurse practitioners and physician assistants.”

Florida is one of only two states that do not allow ARNPs to prescribe controlled medicines. FMDA’s support for ARNP/PA prescriptive authority of controlled substances shows a commitment to full access to health care and improved quality of care for our Florida long-term-care patients. FMDA’s full position statement is attached or may be found on its website, www.fmda.org.

# # #

The Florida Medical Directors Association represents nearly 250 medical directors, attending physicians, physician assistants, and advanced registered nurse practitioners in Florida’s postacute care continuum, including subacute care, hospice, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities, as well as in continuing-care retirement communities. The mission of FMDA is to promote the highest quality care as patients move through the long-term-care continuum. FMDA is dedicated to providing leadership, professional education, and advocacy for the inter-professional team.

FMDA, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, is the official state chapter of the American Medical Directors Association and is a Specialty Society of the Florida Medical Association..
 

Florida Medical Directors Association
200 Butler Street, Suite 305
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
(561) 659-5581; Fax: (561) 659-1291; www.fmda.org 


"Best Care Practices in the Post-Acute & Long-Term Care Continuum 2011"
is the annual conference which is joint-sponsored by the
Florida Medical Directors Association and
the American Medical Directors Association.