As a condition of being a Department of Drug Enforcement (DEA) registrant, a physician who prescribes controlled substances has an obligation to take reasonable measures to prevent abuse and diversion by exercising an appropriate degree of medical supervision.
The California Medical Board emphasizes:
“no pathology, no prescription.”
Therefore, a physician must properly determine a legitimate medical purpose for prescribing controlled substances and formulate an effective treatment plan that maximizes function. Reasonable efforts to prevent abuse and diversion are also taken to include toxicological screening (serum/urine/buccal), opioid risk profiles, pill counts and frequent utilization of California’s Drug Monitoring Prescription Program (a report can be obtained in less than one minute). Our practice emphasizes serum toxicological testing, and we have an employee on site that coordinates these efforts including the randomization process.
A dedicated private waiting room (including a private phlebotomy room) exists for the comfort of our patients. Urine testing provides qualitative information as to whether the patient is taking the medication ordered. Serum (blood) testing provides data reflective of the actual amount of medication taken by a patient. Steady state analyses are performed on all prescribed agents. This information guides the prescribing effectively and may lead to compassionate counseling interactions.
Steady State for Serum Toxicology Drug Screening
Rationale for Serum Toxicology Drug Screening
Additional Procedures
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