Texas Senate Bill SB311

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the frequency and location of certain meetings required by a prescriptive authority agreement.

Impact

The bill's amendments apply directly to the Occupations Code, meaning that it will affect current practices and standards regarding how prescriptive authority is managed between physicians and their delegating practitioners. By detailing the requirements for quality assurance plans and meetings, SB311 seeks to promote better patient outcomes through more consistent collaboration between healthcare providers. It emphasizes accountability and continuous improvement in patient care strategies, reflecting a shift towards integrating team-based healthcare models.

Summary

SB311 aims to amend existing regulations regarding prescriptive authority agreements in Texas. The bill outlines the frequency and location of meetings required by these agreements, specifically mandating that certain discussions between physicians and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) or physician assistants be held at least once a month. This aims to enhance communication and collaborative patient care among healthcare providers while ensuring a structured approach to managing prescriptions and patient treatment plans.

Contention

While the bill seems generally favorable for streamlining communications among healthcare providers, there may be concerns regarding its possible imposition of additional regulatory burdens on practices. Some observers argue that mandating specific meeting frequencies could restrict flexible arrangements that are more convenient for the parties involved. Additionally, concerns may arise related to how these regulations could be enforced and their impact on smaller medical practices or rural providers who may find it challenging to meet these new requirements.