Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

Describe the role of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as it pertains to the PMHNP. Explain your responsibilities when having a DEA number. Explain how you apply for a DEA number. Explain your state’s requirements for a safe prescribing and prescription monitoring program. Explain your responsibility as a PMHNP to follow these requirements. (Florida) Provide an example of a drug you may prescribe from each of the Schedule II-V drug levels.Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

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Introduction

Drug trafficking is an illegal multinational trade that benefits only those participating in this business but continues to destroy the lives of many people who use these drugs. It is a highly coveted business due to its profitability; however, risky because most countries have put strict measures to combat this business (Heing, 2019). The United States, under the department of justice, has Drug Enforcement Agency DEA, which is a law enforcement agency that is tasked with combating the sale and distribution of illegal drugs within the country. Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

Role of a Drug enforcement agency DEA

According to Perez et al. (2017), as a law enforcement agency, the DEA has two primary functions; first, it combats the sneak-in of drugs, drug money, criminals, and other related instruments at the borders of the country. Secondly, it inhibits the sale and distribution of drugs within the United States. Other roles such as domestic and undercover operations, prosecution, coordinating programs to combat drug trafficking, and rehabilitative services are derived from two primary functions. Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

The use of illicit drugs affects the lives of many in various ways. The majority of those who abuse these hard drugs develop addiction and dependence hence affecting their mental state. Significantly, substance abuse is associated with more than half of the psychiatric conditions in the United States. Every day there are new cases of drug addiction and dependence in the U.S, and the mental health facilities plus rehabilitation centers are flocked by patients who have been affected by drug abuse (Blanco et al., 2018). As such, the demand for mental health services is increasing daily. Therefore, the PMHNP is tasked with providing mental health services such as rehabilitation, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders related to substance abuse.Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

Regarding prevention, the DEA performs primary prevention by attempting to combat these drugs’ sale and consumption. On the other hand, the interventions of the PMHNP act as secondary and tertiary interventions because it entails providing treatment and rehabilitation. Therefore, the DEA actively participates in the prevention of mental health disorders associated with substance abuse. Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

How to get DEA number

Care providers who prescribe any controlled substance should always have certified registration with a federal drug enforcement agency. When still under the training program, the care provider is usually covered by the hospital or the institution. When training is over, the need to obtain an individual registration, the applicant visits www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov website or visit local DEA offices and submit their information as requested. A day after application, the applicant can click on ‘check on the status of application’ within the website to edit and or check whether it has been approved, issued, or renewed. You can also call 800-882-9539 to get verifications of the application process (Heing, 2019). Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.After a complete application, the process takes 4-6 weeks.

A PMHNP with a DEA number is certified to prescribe controlled drugs used in treating various mental disorders. Some of the controlled drugs used in psychiatry include Opioids, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids. According to Brown et al. (2019), diazepam is a drug scheduled level IV and is classified under a group of benzodiazepines. Its works by providing calmness in the body; thus, it can be prescribed to patients with a general anxiety disorder. This is a controlled drug because it can be addictive and create dependence compared to those scheduled I-III.  Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

Florida States requirements

The state has an electronic system that collects and stores information about the controlled substance. This system is regularly updated when the patient reports to the unit to take the controlled medications. As such, the responsibility of the PMHNP is to make sure this system is always up to date.Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs. When the patient reports to the unit for the controlled medications, the PMHNP ensures that the following details are entered into the system before dispensing the drugs; the name of the prescriber, date of prescription, details of the patient and the medications prescribed, and details of the pharmacy where the medicine was dispensed. These details are essential, and the nurse has to make sure that every entry is completed correctly. When all the details are entered, the nurse must safeguard this information and prevent access by an unauthorized person (Bjorklund, 2003).Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs. For instance, when there are ongoing investigations, a law enforcement agency under the attorney general’s instruction is authorized to obtain the information. Ethical principles in nursing dictate that a nurse needs to provide confidentiality for their patients at all time (Bjorklund, 2003. Therefore, PMHNP, as the custodian of the patient, has the responsibility to document and safely store all patient records and protect this information from public access. Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.

The PMHNP participates in research studies and surveys to determine the safe prescribing and prescription monitoring program’s feasibility. These studies are intended to improve the quality of service delivery and safe prescription of controlled drugs. The objectives of these studies include; Taking advantage of advances in technology, reducing duplicative prescriptions and the overprescribing of controlled substances, and reducing drug abuse. Reports from these studies will be circulated to health system management of the state and the states’ political heads.Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs. The reports provide an understanding of the strengths and challenges of the program. Factors such as increased abuse of substances can be identified from the studies hence calling for more interventions (Bjorklund, 2003. Therefore, the PMHNP actively participates in surveys and research that focuses on improving safe prescribing and prescription monitoring programs. Safe Prescribing Of Controlled Drugs.