Tools for Patients
MHA Opioid Stewardship
Medication Disposal Toolkit
10 Things Every Patient in Pain Should Know
Pain Management Guide
Podcast Covers Opioid Crisis in Michigan
An episode of the MHA’s podcast, the MiCare Champion Cast, covered the opioid epidemic and new steps being taken to help prevent opioid abuse and overuse. The episode featured interviews with Paige Fults, director, advocacy, Michigan Health & Hospital Association; Kim Gaedeke, acting deputy director, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs; and Robert Nolan, DO, director of emergency medicine, Lakeland Health.
Michigan Hospitals are Fighting this Deadly Epidemic
Prescription drug and opioid abuse is a growing national health emergency that impacts every community in Michigan. From 1999 to 2016, the total number of overdose deaths involving any type of opioid increased more than 17 times in Michigan, from 99 to 1,689, according to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.
Michigan hospitals are helping fight this deadly epidemic by working with lawmakers, state departments, physicians and the public to raise awareness and improve clinical processes. The MHA served on the Michigan Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Task Force, an effort formed by Gov. Rick Snyder, that included a comprehensive report and more than two dozen recommendations for changes in regulations and practices that could help address the growing problem of abuse in Michigan. Also, the MHA Keystone Center has worked with hospitals to educate patients, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with opioid use, and has received national recognition for its Pain Management Collaborative in 2016. Learn more under MHA Keystone Center Efforts.
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Latest Updates
Funding for MAPS Extended (Sept. 3, 2020): The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), secured continued funding to cover the costs of MAPS integration with electronic medical records through Aug. 31, 2021. Hospitals have been asked via email to extend their current agreements through an addendum. It is important to note that when submitting completed addendums, organization names must match the original Terms and Conditions submission. Completed addendums can be emailed directly to Bureau of Professional Licensing or faxed to (517) 241-0172. Hospitals who have not yet integrated can still take advantage of the new funding by applying to request software integration from LARA. Contact Paige Fults at the MHA for more information or for a copy of the addendum.
MDHHS to Provide Free Naloxone to Community Organizations and Individuals Statewide (June 29, 2020): The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched an online portal where community organizations, including substance use treatment providers, non-profits, and first responders, can request free naloxone. MDHHS will review organizations’ plans for distributing the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. If approved, 12 kits of naloxone will be sent by mail to the organization. It will then be the organization’s responsibility for distribution and training for individuals at risk of overdose on how to use naloxone.
Opioid Awareness Training for Controlled Substance License Holders (Feb. 13, 2020): The Pharmacy Controlled Substance Administrative Rules changed in 2019 to require individuals with a controlled substance license to prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances to complete a one-time training in opioids and other controlled substances awareness that meets the standards under Rule 338.3135. The rule was put in place to help with the opioid epidemic that Michigan and the country is currently facing. Providers are required to certify that they have met the training requirement beginning with the first renewal cycle after Jan. 4, 2019, and for initial licenses beginning Sept. 1, 2019. The rules also state that a prescriber or dispenser shall not delegate or order the prescribing, dispensing or administering of a controlled substance as authorized by this act to an advanced practice registered nurse, registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse unless the nurse completes this training. Members with questions may call (517) 335-0918 or email BPLHelp@michigan.gov.
Michigan Opioid Law FAQ Document Updated (March 6, 2019): LARA and MDHHS released an updated version of their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to provide clarification regarding implementation of the Michigan opioid laws.
LARA Revises the Pharmacy – Controlled Substances Rules (Jan. 7, 2019): LARA issued changes to the Pharmacy – Controlled Substances Rules and issued an updated version of its Michigan Opioid Laws FAQs. A full set of the rules is available on LARA’s website, along with FAQs that were updated as of March 6. Questions about these revised rules can be directed to the LARA office at (517) 241-0199 or by email to BPLHELP@michigan.gov.
Information Issued on Emergency Rules for Reporting Opioid Overdoses (Oct. 26, 2018): A set of emergency rules require hospitals to report opioid overdose statistics to the MDHHS upon request. The rules are meant to inform the public health response to the substantial increase in cases of prescription and illicit drug overdoses. The MDHHS has released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to the emergency rules and the development of a permanent rule. Members with questions about the rules and/or the FAQs should contact Sarah Lyon-Callo in the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health at (517) 284-2910.
Resources for Hospitals and Physicians
Funding for MAPS/EHR Integration
The state is providing funding for integrating the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) with the electronic health records and pharmacy dispensation systems of hospitals, physician groups and pharmacies across the state to help combat the misuse of prescription drugs. To take advantage of the funding available for integration, the MHA urges hospitals to request software integration from LARA.
Opioid Start Talking Form
The Start Talking Form is designed to satisfy patient education and parental consent regulations regarding opioid prescriptions under Public Act 246 of 2017 which became effective June 1, 2018. Download the Word template version of the form or access it under the Prescribers tab on the MDHHS’s website.
Verify Whether Prescribers Have Registered for MAPS
Public Act 248 of 2017, which became effective on June 1, 2018, requires a licensed prescriber to register for MAPS before dispensing or prescribing a controlled substance. The state has developed a mechanism to verify if a licensed prescriber has registered for MAPS. To assist in ensuring all needed information is provided to state, the state has created a CSV template as a guide. Once the list is filled out, email a copy to LARA for verification.
Michigan Opioid Legislation Hospital Compliance Checklist
The Michigan Opioid Legislation Hospital Compliance Checklist was created to help guide MHA-member hospitals through the requirements of a package of bills signed into law in December 2017 in response to the opioid epidemic. Disclaimer: This document does not constitute legal advice. Please note that guidance from the state of Michigan is subject to change, and organizations are encouraged to contact legal counsel for legal advice.
Prescribing Guidelines for Surgeons, Emergency Departments & Dentists
The Prescription Drug and Opioid Abuse Commission released its prescribing recommendations for surgeons, emergency departments and dentists when treating acute pain.
MSMS: Reversing the Opioid Epidemic
The Michigan State Medical Society can also be used as an opioid epidemic resource.
Resources for Patients
Nonopioid Directive Form (March 28, 2019): A new state law allows patients to direct health professionals to not administer opioids to them through a new state form, the Nonopioid Directive. The form can be downloaded from the Michigan.gov website, and additional resources are available to help with opioid addiction on Michigan’s Opioid Addiction Resources website.
New Medication Disposal Resources: One of the best ways individuals can fight the opioid epidemic while protecting the environment is to properly dispose of unwanted and expired medications. The resources below are ready to share with patients and more information is available on the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality website.
The MHA continues to work with elected officials on addressing the opioid issue on behalf of Michigan hospitals and patients. Click on the bill names below for the latest information on active healthcare-related legislation surrounding the opioid crisis in Michigan.
Active Legislation
- HB 4057: Earmark of Liquor Tax Revenues for Substance Use Disorder Programs.
- HB 4217: Require E-prescribing for Controlled Substances.
- HB 4345: First Responder Drug Overdose Training.
- SB 248: E-prescribing Mandate – Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, prescribers must electronically transmit all prescriptions (including controlled substances) directly to a pharmacy.
- SB 254: Require e-prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepine prescriptions.
- SB 526: Would include research chemical benzodiazepines and research chemical thienodiazepines as schedule I controlled substances
Recently Passed Legislation
- Public Act 37 of 2019 (SB 282): Requires a medical control authority to establish protocols to ensure that EMS personnel who receive opioid antagonists under the Administration of Opioid Antagonists Act are trained in their proper administration.
- Public Act 39 of 2019 (HB 4367): Creates the Administration of Opioid Antagonists Act, which allows a governmental agency to purchase and possess an opioid antagonist and distribute it to an employee or agent who has been trained in its use.
- Public Act 42 of 2019 (SB 128): Exempts Hospice patients from the Bona Fide Prescriber-Patient Relationship Requirement.
- Public Act 43 of 2019 (HB 4225): Exempts Hospice patients from the Bona Fide Prescriber-Patient Relationship Requirement.
The MHA Keystone Center, as part of the Great Lakes Partners for Patients Hospital Improvement Innovation Network, launched a multi-state initiative in September 2018 to reduce the administration of opioid medications by emergency department clinicians. The Midwest Alternative to Opioids (ALTO) program will expand on the success of the ALTO program that was initially launched by the Colorado Hospital Association and reduced opioid use in 10 Colorado hospitals by 36 percent over six months. To date, 25 hospitals are involved across Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.
This initiative builds on previous MHA Keystone Center work, including the MHA Keystone: Pain Management collaborative that launched in 2015 to address the growing concerns surrounding opioid overuse in the hospital setting, develop opioid prescribing guidelines and distribute resources for patients. The initiative aimed to improve pain management, decrease opioid use, and educate patients about safe pain management. It received national recognition for its progress toward those goals which resulted in improved patient care and reduced healthcare costs.
Other efforts from the MHA Keystone Center include:
- Developing patient educational materials around opioids in partnership with its Patient Family Advisory Committee and clinical experts
- Working with partner organizations under the MHA Keystone Hospital Engagement Network and the Great Lakes Partnership for Patients Hospital Improvement Innovation Network to decrease the use of opioids and instances in opioid-related adverse events in hospitals in Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.
- Participating in national opioid task forces by several MHA and MHA Keystone Center staff members.
To learn more about the MHA Keystone Center’s work to combat the opioid epidemic, contact the MHA Keystone Center.
Members with questions about legislative issues and clinical practices around opioids can contact the MHA.