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Featured Practice Question

Is a DEA number mandatory for NPs, even if they do not order controlled substances? Can an NP use the supervising MD's DEA number to order narcotics if needed?

If you are not furnishing controlled-substances a DEA number is not required. However, before you can apply for a DEA number, the Board of Registered Nursing needs to approve and update your furnishing license for scheduled II-V medications. No, the NP cannot use the physician's DEA number to furnish narcotics. The order would need to be placed by the physician.

Featured Legal Question

I am looking into working as an independent contractor for an eating disorder clinic. During my initial phone conversation I was asked where it specifies that I would need to be supervised by a psychiatrist. I said for liability purposes I would need to be supervised by a psychiatrist. It looks like their psychiatrist left and an internal medicine doctor will take over as medical director. My first question is do you know where it specifies that I need to be supervised by a psychiatrist? Second question, what is the general cost associated to create a legal contract for this type of position?

The law does not specifically state the physician has to be in the same specialty because all physicians are considered to be physicians and surgeons. The BRN argues that the standard of care would be a physician in that specialty. However, one can argue that the physician had psychiatry in med school. The collaborating physician is supposed to have knowledge in the field the NP works in so if they need to collaborate, he would know the answer. You could have in your protocols that if there was a problem you could not handle, you would send the patient directly to a psychiatrist. The cost of doing a contract would be about $800. Make sure that your SPs have all eleven areas that the BRN requires.

 

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