Hawaii Senate Bill SB940

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/21
• Refer: 1/29/21

Caption

Relating To Opioids.

Impact

The introduction of SB940 will amend Chapter 329 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, aiming to enhance patient safety by making healthcare providers responsible for educating patients about the risks of opioids. This legislation is expected to foster better patient-provider communication and prompt consideration of alternative treatments, potentially reducing the likelihood of opioid dependency. By requiring documentation of these discussions in patient records, the bill also promotes accountability among providers in managing opioid prescriptions.

Summary

SB940, relating to opioids, introduces new requirements for healthcare providers authorized to prescribe opioids. The bill mandates that providers must discuss the risks associated with opioid prescriptions with patients prior to issuing the initial prescription for acute pain. This discussion is designed to inform patients about the potential dangers of addiction, overdose, and the necessity of the medication, along with alternative treatment options. Additionally, this requirement must be reiterated before issuing a third prescription in a course of treatment for the same acute pain symptom, ensuring that patients are continually aware of the associated risks.

Contention

Some points of contention around SB940 may arise regarding the practicality and sufficiency of the verbal discussion requirement. Providers may express concerns about the added burden this places on their patient interactions, particularly in fast-paced healthcare settings. Furthermore, while the bill aims to protect patients, some opponents may argue it could inadvertently limit timely access to necessary pain management for patients with acute conditions. Balancing patient education with timely medical care poses a challenge that stakeholders will need to navigate as the bill is implemented.